Caribbean Island of Anguilla To Host New Food Festival Featuring Local And International Chefs.
The captivating Caribbean island of Anguilla has announced that a new food festival, Anguilla Culinary Experience (ACE), will take place from 11 – 15 May 2022. As the latest and most exciting culinary production in the region, ACE will bring together talented chefs from Anguilla and around the world, with food-loving locals and guests staying at the destination’s world-class resorts.
During five days of curated experiences, chefs will draw on their diverse influences as they combine their skills and creativity with Anguilla’s fresh produce, and sea-to-table, ingredients.
ACE will centre around three signature events – the opening night ‘Ultimate Barefoot Luxury Party’ at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, an afternoon ‘Rosé Soirée’ party at Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort, and a ‘Caribbean Beach Barbeque’ on Meads Bay where local grill-masters will offer up freshly-grilled seafood and ribs, while members of the island’s competitive culinary team battle in a ‘Mystery Basket’ competition.
Belmond Cap Juluca
On 13 May, local and guest chefs at award-winning restaurants Ember, Veya, Tasty’s, Celeste, Pimms, and Salt and Stone will also present inventive prix fixe menus with wine pairings as part of the festival’s Restaurant Night.
Upgrading to the VIP package will also provide exclusive access to events including an after-hours rum tasting at Zemi Beach House’s renowned Rhum Room, and an intimate, five-course dinner accompanied by wine and live music at one of Anguilla’s private luxury villas or speciality resort venues. The VIP dinners will be held on 12 May and are limited to 20 guests at each venue. Diners will be able to get to know the chefs and each other while savouring inspired cuisine in a one-of-a-kind location.
In between the main events, festival guests can relax on Anguilla’s 33 beautiful beaches, explore the island or partake in ticketed small group activities. The activities to choose from include harvesting salt from a natural salt pond, learning how to make ceviche or traditional Caribbean Johnny cakes, fishing off the shore, paddle-boarding to spot sea turtles, or “researching” the island’s best rum punch while touring Anguilla’s beachside bars in a chauffeured open-air Moke.
A portion of ACE proceeds will fund the Anguilla National Culinary Team and other local hospitality training programmes, and students will have a chance to learn alongside the more experienced chefs.
Wendy Freeman, ACE co-chair, said: “Anguilla Culinary Experience is being created for, and by, people who appreciate artistry and view food and wine as a way to celebrate life, make connections and explore a country’s history and culture. Anguilla is already considered the culinary capital of the Caribbean. With over 100 bespoke restaurants within just 35 square miles and no commercial chains, plus Anguilla’s unique ability to deliver an upscale, luxe experience in an approachable and authentic manner, you can’t find a more perfect environment for an epicurean festival.”
Stacey Liburd, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism, said: “We are justly renowned for our spectacular beaches and exceptional cuisine, but Anguilla offers so much more. Guests who come to ACE, which is a thrilling addition to our events calendar, will excite not only their palates but all their other senses as they discover our unique island attractions and experiences.”
Anguilla is famous for its excellent food scene, with more than 100 eateries spread across the island, offering diverse and quality cuisine at a variety of price points. From roadside BBQs to independent family restaurants, toes-in-the-sand beach bars serving the freshest local catches, fine-dining establishments and appearances from visiting chefs, travellers will be in culinary heaven.
Festival guests choose either an ACE or VIP level ticket package, which both include entrance to all three signature events, as well as a full or partial credit towards the prix fixe meal at one of the participating restaurants on Restaurant Night. Packages are available at www.anguillaculinaryexperience.com at an early bird rate of USD$425 for ACE level and USD$1,150 for VIP option. After 1 March, package prices increase to USD$450 and USD$1,250 respectively.
