The 14th annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is set to return to the beautiful Turks & Caicos this November.

Across the Caribbean, resorts and hotels are starting to highlight attractions that go beyond their powdery white beaches and crystal-clear waters. Recently, culinary festivals and gastronomic events have emerged from Dominica to Trinidad, showcasing a delightful blend of local dishes and renowned chefs from around the globe. However, one particular island has been ahead of the curve, hosting food and wine festivals long before the trend took off.

This November, Grace Bay Club, a high-end resort located in Providenciales, will celebrate its 14^th annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival. This premier event includes an array of local and international culinary talent, featuring award-winning chefs and winemakers in a vibrant culinary celebration set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most breathtaking beaches. The festival is scheduled for November 7 – 10, 2024, with tickets available for purchase on their website.

Each year, a portion of the festival’s proceeds is contributed to the Turks & Caicos Islands Community College. The previous year’s festival generated sufficient funds to enable a group of students to travel to South America for training and cultural immersion.

Chef Nikita Skippings recently hosted an engaging walkabout event at his establishment, Crackpot Kitchen, where he showcased the rich flavors of traditional Turks & Caicos cuisine.

“As proud community partners, we at Grace Bay Resorts are delighted to support the local Turks & Caicos Islands Community College with a portion of the proceeds from this event,” stated Nikheel Advani, COO and principal of Grace Bay Resorts, and co-chairman of the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival committee, in a press release.

“With more award-winning culinary and beverage experts than ever participating, this year’s Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is set to be an extraordinary celebration, highlighting the finest cuisine with a delightful Caribbean twist.”

This year’s festival will showcase Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee from Scratch Restaurants, renowned for their unique Sushi by Scratch omakase experience, alongside chef Adrianne Calvo from Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Bar. They will join chefs from the Grace Bay Resorts properties to partake in wine pairing events, special dinners, and the widely celebrated Sunday Brunch. Additionally, a complimentary Culinary Trends Symposium will take place at South Bank Ocean Estate, which will also be accessible online for those unable to attend in person in Turks & Caicos.

The festival draws a diverse crowd, featuring attendees from the U.S. and Canada, alongside regular visitors from nearby Caribbean islands who have joined in over the years. This creates an atmosphere that stands apart from typical food and wine festivals in North America. The event radiates elegance and sophistication, yet it also conveys the feeling of enjoying a gathering at a friend’s stunning beachfront home, complete with dishes crafted by acclaimed chefs from around the globe.

At the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, local tastes blend seamlessly with international dishes crafted by world-renowned chefs.

“The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is a distinct tribute to our vibrant culinary heritage here in the Caribbean,” shares Olivier Hilton, executive chef of Point Grace. “We are excited to present global flavors in our tropical haven, yet the true essence of the festival is in showcasing the lively and diverse traditions of Caribbean cuisine. From fresh, locally sourced seafood to our bold spices and age-old cooking methods, this festival allows us to celebrate the flavors that make the Caribbean unique and present them prominently for our guests.”

Last year, chef Nikita Skippings hosted an energetic walkabout event at Crackpot Kitchen, his establishment that exemplifies Caribbean culinary culture. Chef Nikita serves as the culinary ambassador of Turks & Caicos and is also the host and producer of the Crackpot Kitchen Cooking Show, the premiere televised cooking program in the nation. Attendees enjoyed local delicacies such as fresh conch salad, crack conch fritters, curry goat, chicken souse, and more, all accompanied by the lively ambiance of carnival festivities along with traditional music and dance acts.

This year’s festival will feature an exciting highlight known as the Gourmet Safari, offering a unique dining journey across five stunning locations in Turks & Caicos. The experience begins with the first course at Coyaba, continues to the second course at Grace’s Cottage, moves on to the main course at The Palms, followed by dessert at Wymara, and concludes with cocktails at Rock House.

Olivier Hilton, the executive chef of Point Grace, is among the talented chefs contributing to the festival.

The event will showcase exquisite wines from Oregon’s Ken Wright Cellars, alongside Veuve Clicquot Champagne and creative cocktails from The Macallan for the opening cocktail party. Attendees are encouraged to savor the local Turks Head beers and Bambarra Rum at the newly redesigned Infinity Bar, known as the longest bar in the Caribbean.

Beyond the culinary delights of the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, guests will have the opportunity to explore new developments within the Grace Bay Resorts portfolio, which includes an innovative beach club concept named Offshore and the debut of South Bank, the latest residential resort on the island.

“The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is about inspiring the next generation in our field,” chef Hilton shares. “This event not only captures attention but also provides chefs the chance to educate and mentor our junior chefs on the finest offerings of the Caribbean. Furthermore, it allows us to reach out to the entire island and the world through the positive media attention it garners.”

The atmosphere at the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is friendly and laid-back, set in a stunning tropical backdrop.

Each year, the festival draws more international talent, but most importantly, it provides local culinary students a unique opportunity to enhance their skills by preparing and serving dishes crafted by both local and guest chefs.

“I anticipate the event will continue expanding and improving with each iteration, and I always look forward to creating something innovative or adding my unique touch to a traditional dish whenever the CFWF takes place,” Hilton states.

The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is set to be held from November 7 to 10, 2024, in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. Tickets and packages are currently available, click here to view the schedule for more information.

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