Get ready
to break all of your New Year’s Resolutions at once with the delectably
fabulous Culinary Month.
Actually,
as part of a balanced diet there’s absolutely nothing stopping you enjoying the
many, many excellent events taking place which together are designed to make
Cayman truly the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.
Get airborne
The fun
begins on Monday, 9 January with the Sunset, Fly, Dine event – which continues
daily until 18 February. This opulent and extraordinary experience includes a
champagne reception at the Helipad of Cayman Islands Helicopters right next to
the Lobster Pot. Then it is on to a sunset helicopter tour followed by a
beautiful five course dinner at the Lobster Pot! There is even an optional Limo
service available. It runs from Monday to Saturday at 7pm and costs $165.
Contact lobster@candw.ky
Lookout for Cookout
From
January 12 to 15 one of the jewels in the crown of Cayman’s epicurean offering takes
place. The Cayman Cookout takes place at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and
Camana Bay and attracts an incomparable roster of world famous chefs, wine
experts and spirits blenders will offer tastings, demonstrations, tours and
dinners that celebrate the barefoot elegance that only the Cayman Islands can
deliver. Of many highlights expect the likes of host Eric Ripert, Anthony
Bourdain and Jose Andres to wow the crowds with their skill and talent, and no
little fun. There will also be wine tastings, cookery demonstrations and way
more food tastings than any one person could possibly attend. But that won’t
stop us trying – the Cookout truly is one of the reasons that Cayman is
becoming known as such a wonderful epicurean destination. The Ultimate Dinner Party
takes place at Camana Bay’s restaurants on Saturday, 14 January and on Sunday
there’s also the small matter of the Cayman Cookoff where two talented
Cayman-based non-professional chefs face off to see who is the best the Islands
have to offer. It all comes to an end with the extraordinary seven-course gala,
each course prepared by a famous chef including this year the returning Paul
Rogalski, who cut his teeth in Cayman before opening Canada’s world-famous
Rouge restaurant. Events vary in price throughout the weekend and a full
schedule is available on caymanislands.ky/cayman_cookout
Lobster and Conch ahoy
Agua
Restaurant is the place to be on 18 January for an evening of freshly-caught
local lobster and conch. You can choose to have the five course meal for $87
including wine pairings or for $65 without the wines. Gratuities are not
included. Contact info@agua.ky.
Begone, foul lionfish!
Actually
they’re pretty tasty as the lionfish hunts and preparation demos from Chef Dora
and tasting by Chef Ajay will show on 19 and 26 January and 2 February. All
events start at 5pm at Divetech, Cobalt Coast Dive Resort in West Bay. By
combing the number 1 sport in Cayman (scuba diving), environmental awareness
for divers, removing an invasive species from the ocean and turning the
lionfish into tasty tidbits complimented by white wine, diving guests will be a
part of a solution in an educational and fun filled afternoon. An educational
briefing on lion fish will be followed by a one-tank dive to catch lion fish, a
demonstration on how to handle and prepare the species and appetiser tidbits in
Caribbean style paired with cold white wine. For more information, contact
emma@divetech.com.
Starry starry night
Up at Casa
Havana, Westin Casuarina on Friday, 20 January there’s a Latin-themed wine
dinner entitled Latin Night under the Stars of Cayman. Expect great wines from
Chile, Argentina and the fab Guatemalan rum, Ron Zacapa, paired with South
American dishes. Email f&bdirector@westin-cayman.com for further
information.
Dine, design, BBQ is fine
Head up to
Seven Mile Public Beach on Saturday, 21 January in the company of Al La Kebab
who will produce a fab multicultural barbecue which showcases all manner of
flavours from the Caribbean, Asia, Latin America and North America. There are
wine and beer pairings with meat and seafood dishes and there’s a full set of
appetisers, salads, sides, desserts and seven grilling stations. Contact catering@dinebydesign.ky.
Aaarrr me hearties
Here in
Cayman you ain’t never that far from a pirate as Seven Fathoms Rum and The
Jolly Roger highlight, also on Saturday, 21 January. Starting with a tour at
The Cayman Islands Distillery where you can see how rum is made (and sample a
few), board the Jolly Roger for a two-hour sunset cruise featuring Seven
Fathoms Rum cocktail and rum-themed appetisers. For more email walker@rum.ky
Getting ceramic for a moment
Meanwhile,
at Gawk & Leer, Kyocera USA general manager Erik Reid will be demonstrating
the company’s kitchen products and creating a food tasting. Contact gl@candw.ky
for the full rundown on that ‘un.
Fish Tea for all
On Monday,
23 January – National Heroes Day – Colliers Public Beach in East End is home to
the splendid Fish Tea Cook Off, from 10am. Cooks from all districts will be
proffering their own version of this traditional dish which is said to have
great health benefits. There’s only one way to find out and that is to taste as
much as you can. More on surfchallenge.ky
Margarita Monday
The clue is
in the title of this one, which is unsurprisingly held at Margaritaville on
Monday, 23 January. The popular drink has many different iterations and when
paired with various appetisers may well surprise you with its versatility of
taste. For more info contact credlund@margaritavillecaribbean.com
Rack off, ya hoon
Tukka
Restaurant in Gun Bay lives up to its name with the Australia Day Food &
Wine Festival plus Gold Boomerang Games on Monday, 23 January. Although Aussie
Day is not until the 26th, this year’s celebrations are timed for
the holidays and mark the 10th anniversary of Cayman celebrations.
Free shuttle buses will run from Treasure Island and Brick House. Will you be a
winner? Try tukka@candw.ky
Tasting the water
On
Saturday, 28 January the Taste of Cayman event takes place at Camana Bay
Waterfront. And whilst that begins at 5pm, there’s a classy way to rock up
there – by cruising in on board the Cayman Elusion from 4pm. The luxury sunset
charter features unlimited prosecco and tapas on-board. Prices include entry
into the Taste festival. Contact 938 2525.
Taste of Cayman
Another
shining beacon of culinary loveliness in the Cayman calendar is the 24th
annual Taste of Cayman Food and Wine Festival, which features more than 30
restaurants from Cayman participating to show their wares from a huge amount of
booths, stalls, cooking stations and bars. This is an event which regularly sees
4,000 people through the gates, all eager to taste food from the brilliantly
varied set of restaurants on the island but also to drink local beers and
spirits, watch a series of fantastic local acts and entertainments and get into
the island vibe. Taste of Cayman truly is a melting pot of cultures and
personalities brought together to enjoy a feast for all the senses. The event
is also a fundraiser for the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. Contact info@cita.ky
February food
Upcoming
events:
Friday, 3
February
Caribbean
Beach Party @ Rum Point Club
Brewery
Tour and Taste Pairing Dinner @ Cayman Islands Brewery
Saturday, 4
February
Reds,
Whites and Brews (and local food) @ Our Houses
Slow Food
Day @ Market at the Grounds @ Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Tuesday, 7
February to Sunday, 11 February
Champagne
Wishes and Caviar Dreams @ Blue by Eric Ripert
Saturday,
10 February
Culinary
Month Charity Wine Dinner & Auction @ The Brasserie