DOT presents first culinary tourism event

(CNS): Celebrity Chef Eric Ripert, is one of a list of world famous chefs and sommeliers, gathering this weekend in Cayman for the Department of Tourism’s first annual Cayman Cookout. The four day long celebration of food and wine will give guests from around the world the opportunity to indulge in cuisine prepared by leading international chefs in various island locations.

Running between 16-19 January the collection of culinary events features Chefs Dean Fearing, Ingrid Hoffmann, Michael Laiskonis, Laurent Manrique and Laurent Tourondel, and sommeliers Ray Isle, Anthony Giglio and Joshua Wesson and is the latest promotional event to enter the DoT calendar.

“The Cayman Islands Ministry and Department of Tourism have always endeavored to bring the finest events to our shores” Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford said. “This is the first food and wine festival of this magnitude in the Caribbean and we are especially delighted about the opportunity to showcase our Caymanian cuisine and flair at an event of this caliber.”

 The events kick off at the Welcome Party on Friday evening on Seven Mile Beach where guests can mix and mingle with the finest talents in the culinary world followed by “After Eight” at the Silver Palm Lounge. On Saturday guests can take to the sea with Chef Eric Ripert where he will expose the preparation secrets behind his mouth-watering ceviche on board a majestic catamaran anchored at Stingray City. Other events include the Rum Tasting with Appleton Master Blender Joy Spence who will share the art and science of blending golden aged rums. At the other end of the island, Chef Dean Fearing will host the Rum Point Cookout, where attendees will travel across the North Sound to the Rum Point Beach Bar for a Cuban feast and fiesta. Cooking demonstrations on Saturday include a coffee and pastry tutorial with Executive Pastry Chef Rolf Runkel . Later on Executive Pastry Chef at Le Bernardin and the 2007 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Pastry Chef Michael Laiskonis will demystify “molecular gastronomy” for the home cook; and Laurent Tourondel, visionary chef behind the BLT restaurant, will demonstrate how he has redefined bistro cooking.

 For wine aficionados, Anthony Giglio will educate on the different flavours, aromas and characteristics of different Argentinean vintages. Hundred Acre Partner Chris Radomski and award winning Sommelier Martin Hoetzl of Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman will guide guests through this once in a lifetime tasting experience of wines from one of the top cult wineries in the world.

 On Sunday guests can choose to start with the Smoothies and Juices session, where expert mixologists will share the secrets of healthy island blends in a celebration of Caymanian fruits; or attend the Champagne Brunch & Celebrity Chef Cook-off, where guests can sip champagne and watch who prevails as two of Cayman’s own gastronomes – Sean Collins of Mise en Place and Ian Dawson James, Bailli of the Grand Cayman Chapter of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs – are given a mystery basket of ingredients and go head to head. Also on Sunday is the unique Cook’s Tour of Cayman with Anthony Bourdain at Pedro St. James, where thehost of the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations” will guide you through a sensory journey of culinary creations, Caymanian delicacies, local music, artisan crafts and products.

 The event will feature truly Caymanian elements such as traditional Kitchen Band Dancers, Market at the Grounds led by the Department of Agriculture, local cooking demonstrations courtesy of the National Trust and Cayman Traditional Arts as well as multi-media presentations on the hour.

 The premier event of the weekend will be the Cayman Cookout Chefs’ Gala Dinner, where a seven course dinner will be prepared by Chef’s Ripert, Fearing, Hoffmann, Laiskonis, Manrique and Tourondel.

Other events throughout Sunday include a cooking demonstration by popular host of The Food Network’s Simply Delicioso programme, Ingrid Hoffman, who will share her passion for outdoor cooking and entertaining all with a Latin flair. Champagne tastings with Ray Isle and wine tastings with Joshua Wesson round out the weekend’s libations and the weekend finale is on Monday morning where Cayman Cookout attendees will have the opportunity to attend a farewell breakfast.

Visit www.caymanislands.ky for more details of event costs and timetable.