Taste Trinidad & Tobago Culinary Festival returns!

We've missed it the last couple of years, but Taste T&T is back this year in what seems to be a last minute addition to the Trinidad & Tobago festival calendar. Just in time for the FIFA Women's Under 17 World Cup being held on the islands in September, the culinary festival runs from the 2nd to 26th of September.

Much like the T&T Tourism Park was replaced by the mobile T&T Road Show, the new incarnation of Taste T&T features local communities: namely Toco, Tunapuna and Debe/Barrackpore. Fresh, tasty seafood will be the highlight no doubt, and fish broth takes centre stage at the launch of the community food festival on Sunday 12 September in Toco. One week later, expect mouth-watering curry duck and a range of delicious Indian sweets and street food on Caura Road in Tunapuna. Finally on Sunday 26th, all bets are off for the doubles competition in Debe/Barrackpore. Each community day will not only showcase local chefs, but host a variety of family activities, craft and food stalls, entertainment, and a farmers' market.

This year's featival also expands the original Taste T&T to include a lot more workshops and training for established and emerging chefs, restauranteurs and industry workers (slated for the 2nd and 3rd of September) in an effort to brand the island as a foodie's favourite destination. More than 400 chefs are expected to take part in the culinary workshops, which will be led by Danish celebrity chef, Claus Meyer; Rahman “Rock” Harper (winner of the reality cooking series Hell’s Kitchen) and top local chefs.

Trinis are serious lovers of food (and entertainment), and the culinary landscape has the diversity and decadance to match the island's people and culture. This is something the islands' Tourism Development Company (TDC) hopes to leverage in the country's tourism marketing thrust. According to its current President and Director of Tourism Ernest Littles:

Initiatives such as Taste T&T and our participation in trade shows and other international events where our indigenous cuisine is highlighted – such as the recent Caribana Taste of the Tropics food festival in Toronto – help to support the growth of the local sector while positioning our destination to tap into the lucrative culinary tourism market...

Trinidad and Tobago is blessed with a delicious diversity of foods and unique cooking styles... we recognise the importance of our indigenous cuisine as one of the main attractions of this destination and the TDC is expanding our brand through an enhanced programme of public awareness and culinary diplomacy."

To dive in to the culinary traditions and learn more about the country's best fine dining and street food experiences:

• The Trinidad Dining Experience: fine food, finger food, and everything in between
• Let's eat out: a guide to Tobago's restaurants
• The Trinidad Culinary Scene 
• Casual & Fine Dining in Tobago
• Behind the scenes at Veni Mangé: an interview with Alyson Hennessy and Roses Hezekiah
• The homegrown food & flavour of Tobago

Photos copyright Nestlé Trinidad Ltd and The Seahorse Inn (Tobago)