The culinary month kick-off

This year, pleasing one’s taste buds is in the spotlight for the whole month of November. From Monday November 7th, the Gastronomy Festival on the French side and the Fête de la Cuisine on the Dutch side will highlight the culinary diversity of the territory through workshops, cooking shows and contests with the presence of international chefs.

LA FÊTE DE LA CUISINE

From November 6th to November 13th, the culinary festival “Fête de la Cuisine” is back following a five-year absence due to Hurricane Irma and the Covid health crisis. With this event, the objective of the Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau is to “showcase, promote, celebrate and educate culinary excellence that exceeds the industry standard”. On November 8th, a wine, beer and fine food fair will take place at Porto Cupecoy. This year, 7 chefs coming from the Netherlands and the United States, will showcase their skills during a grand gala dinner happening on November 10th at the Divi Little Bay Resort. A few days before, Preston Clark, Jake Sawabini, Rene Klop, Dennis Middelkoop, Willem Dankers, Joris Peeter, Emiel Kwekkeboom and Andre van Doorn will also join a group of students from the Sundial School, on November 8th, to prepare a united meal based on local products.

In parallel to the Fête de la Cuisine, many restaurants on the Dutch side will also participate in the St. Maarten Flavors, organized by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), by offering throughout November a signature dish, menu or cocktail at a reduced price. An operation conducted to highlight the diversity of the island’s flavors.

PROGRAM

Monday, November 7th:

Welcome dinner at the Holland House Hotel in Philipsburg

Tuesday, November 8th:

Preparation of a united meal by invited chefs and a group of students from the Sundial School

Wine, beer and fine food fair at Porto Cupecoy (2pm – 5:30pm for professionals, 6pm -9:30pm for the public)

Wednesday, November 9th:

Casino Night at Casino Royale in Maho (free entrance)

Thursday, November 10th:

“Grand Cocktail and 6 course Gala Dinner” at Divi Little Bay Resort in Philipsburg

$200 per person

Friday November 11th:

Beach Party at Kalatua in Mullet Bay

Saturday, November 12th:

Closing Night of the Fête de la Cuisine with jazz music and cocktail tasting

MORE INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK : SXM-Fete

THE GASTRONOMY FESTIVAL

After a successful first edition in 2021, the Saint Martin Tourist Office is organizing again the Gastronomy Festival, from November 11th to November 22nd.

As last year, the island’s restaurants are invited to offer discovery menus throughout the festival, this time around the plantain, key ingredient of this edition right after the tamarind. Several prizes will be at stake to decide between participating institutions that will be visited by a committee of culinary experts. From November 14th to November 18th, lectures will take place at the Daniel Jeffry professional high school, where invited chefs will meet groups of students from the hotel-restaurant section to teach them new techniques. From November 18th to November 20th, a gastronomy village will be set up in the center of Marigot. Product displays will be offered and tastings will take place during the whole weekend to help visitors find out about local cuisine, but also French cuisine and world food.

This edition’s godfather will be Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Sale, iconic palace cooking figure that you might have seen in several Top Chef TV shows as a juror. Many chefs and mixologists coming from all around the world will also be present. Laurent Huguet, Ilham Moudnib, Alain Warth, Lionel Lévy, Ninon Fauvarque and Vladimir François-Maïkoouva will represent mainland France and the French overseas departments. Renée Blackman, Daniel Vézina, Kevin Bludso, Arthur Sutley, Mia Mastroianni and Rafael Pires will come straight from the United States and Brazil, and Chef Maame Boakye from Ghana.

PROGRAM

Friday, November 11th:

Official opening of the Festival, beginning of the discovery menus

Saturday, November 12th:

Cooking workshops for adults form 9am to 5:30pm

Tuesday, November 15th:

Barbecue demonstration by a professional chef and contest

Wednesday, November 16th:

Cooking workshops for kids from 2pm to 5pm

Thursday, November 17th:

Cooking workshops for adults from 6pm to 10:30pm

Friday, November 18th: