Taste of Cayman Food & Drink Festival has announced the inclusion of two celebrity chefs to its extensive line-up of local culinary talent.
Food Network’s Emmy-nominated show Sandwich King host Chef Jeff Mauro and Food Network Canada’s Top Chef Canada Season 10 winner Chef Tre Sanderson will participate in this year’s festival as part of the sponsorship agreement with Visit Cayman Islands – the globally-recognised brand for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
Mr. Jay Ehrhart, Director of Cayman Islands Tourism Association Executive said the addition of the well renowned overseas chefs would round-out the already talent-packed festival which takes place 13 May on the Festival Green at Camana Bay.
“Chef Jeff will host an exciting demonstration in the Experience Room and Chef Tre will be at the Bon Vivant Demo Stage cooking against his friend, turned festival rival, the Fire Master himself, Dylan Benoit,” he said.
“We’ve had overwhelming interest and positive responses from our restaurant community and local talent whose presence will further elevate our designation as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.”
Local culinary stars such as Young Cayman Chef 2022 winner Chef Brittney Bodden, Chef Jessica Moore of Taste This Life, in-house Chef at the Governor’s residence Chef Mark Lea, Director at Bestlife & Zest Chef Maureen Cubbon, owner of Smokies BBQ Chef Sara Mair-Doak and Mixologist Maya Grant of Fusion Mixology, will participate in the festival’s Experience Room and Bon Vivant Demo Stage.
Over 30 food and drink vendors will showcase at Taste of Cayman 2023, from veteran participants Cimboco and The Beach House at The Westin, to first-timers The Edgy Vedge and Pane & Pasta. Cayman beverage brands Tortuga, Cayman Spirits and Jacques Scott will provide drinks through various outlets.
In addition to food stalls, restaurants are taking their talents to other areas of the festival, such as Saint June at The Ritz-Carton, Grand Cayman – this year’s caterer for the AI Rentals VIP Section, and Anchor & Den at The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort – offering a cooking demonstration in the Experience Room.
Jay Ehrhart said he was thrilled to see the restaurant sector rally together with the Tourism Association to showcase Cayman’s unique culinary scene and world-class talent.
“The absence of events like Taste in recent years has been felt throughout the tourism industry and particularly the restaurant sector, which is in part what makes this year’s return so incredible,” he said.
Ehrhart welcomed the sponsorship of Visit Cayman Islands as it signified a commitment to showcase Cayman on a global stage and allowed for opportunities to bring new experiences to Cayman’s shores.
“We are thrilled to have Visit Cayman Islands as this year’s official presenter of Taste as it demonstrates the strength of our partnership locally and globally. More importantly, it allows for an increase in impactful opportunities to remind the world of the wonderful talent and experiences found in the Cayman Islands and opens the door to have the calibre of international chefs like Tre and Jeff participate in the festival,” he said.
For the complete list of the 2023 participants, visit https://tasteofcayman.org/the-festival/food-and-drink.
