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BVI Food Fete 2015 launched @ historical Callwood Distilleries

- as the BVITB builds brand BVI as a culinary destination of choice
A chef preparing samples of delicacies as BVI Food Fete is launched at the Callwood Distilleries in Cane Garden Bay yesterday September 14, 2015. Photo: VINO
Director of Tourism Sharon Flax speaks at the launching. Photo: VINO
Director of Tourism Sharon Flax speaks at the launching. Photo: VINO
Speaking on behalf of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Brodrick Penn said that selling sun and sand as a part of luxury tourism is simply not enough. He said that various categories of tourists are expecting more and are asking for more than the norm. Photo: VINO
Speaking on behalf of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Brodrick Penn said that selling sun and sand as a part of luxury tourism is simply not enough. He said that various categories of tourists are expecting more and are asking for more than the norm. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the launch. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the launch. Photo: VINO
Some of the Callwood Distilleries' rums for sampling. Photo: VINO
Some of the Callwood Distilleries' rums for sampling. Photo: VINO
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI – The BVI Tourist Board yesterday evening, September 14, 2015, launched its calendar of activities and events for this year’s BVI Food Fete as the territory seeks to continue to make gains into the culinary tourism market to add to the natural beauty and nature of the territory.

The launching took place at Callwood Distilleries in Cane Garden Bay.

The month of culinary events will be observed in November 2015.

Taste of the BVI will take place on November 7, 2015 in the Queen Elizabeth Park in Road Town while Peter Island Resort will host Barefoot Gourmet Soiree on November 14, 2015 at Dead Man’s Bay Peter Island. Virgin Gorda will be home to Taste of the BVI on November 21, 2015 at the Nail Bay Sugar Works. On November 28 and 29, 2015 will be the Anegada Lobster Fest and there will be the Jost Bar Crawl on November 8, 2015, On The Rocks Crawl on November 21, 2015 and Lobster Crawl on November 27th, 2015.

There will be Table Setting and Jr Chef Challenges on Tortola on November 1, 2015 and on Virgin Gorda on November 8, 2015.

Fitting venue for launch

Director of Tourism Sharon Flax said BVI Food Fete is fast becoming a mainstay event for the VI. “It is our distinct pleasure to be able to host our launch at the Callwood Distillery, a historic site that boasts a rich heritage of being the oldest continually operated distillery in the Eastern Caribbean,” she said.

She noted that the Callwood family has been producing their Arundale Rum here for over 300 years “and we felt it was a fitting location to launch our food fete.”

She said by definition culinary tourism is the pursuit of unique eating and drinking experiences. “By combining travel with these experiences, culinary tourism offers both locals and guests alike an authentic taste of place.

“So why not a culinary event in the BVI? Why not share our culinary secrets? Food is believed to rank alongside climate, accommodation and scenery in importance to tourists,” Ms Flax said.

She noted that both destination and tourism companies are aware of the importance of gastronomy in order to diversify tourism.

“It has always been the goal of the BVI Tourist Board to promote and enhance what is truly unique about the BVI as well as diversify our tourism product,” said Flax.

The Director of Tourism said that when she started working at the BVI Tourist Board, culinary tourism was an idea and a concept. “I am happy to say that in three short years we have been able to deliver a signature culinary event. Year one we tested the waters with the Restaurant Week and the Anegada Lobster Fest as well as Taste of the BVI event. Year two we saw tremendous growth.”

She said that the events are not just designed to fill the stomachs but to excite the minds and create ideas for both local and visiting chefs. “Year three (2015) is expected to exceed our expectations,” she added, encouraging persons to visit their new website and Facebook page for more information on the upcoming events.

Sun & sand not enough

Speaking on behalf of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Brodrick Penn said selling sun and sand as a part of luxury tourism is simply not enough. He said that various categories of tourists are expecting more and are asking for more than the norm.

“Today I think that we here in the BVI continue to think outside the box to ensure that we capitalise on the unique products and services that make us one of the top destinations in the world.”

Mr Penn added that with this food fete the VI hopes to capitalise on the growing trend of culinary tourism. “We are bringing more attention to the BVI’s culinary scene and are finding more creative ways to put more heads in the beds during the off season,” he said.

5 Responses to “BVI Food Fete 2015 launched @ historical Callwood Distilleries”

  • Yes (15/09/2015, 08:53) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    seems like no one goes to event the NDP has lol
    • what are you? (17/09/2015, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      that's not an NDP event el stupido. election has passed a while now
  • i was hacked (15/09/2015, 09:08) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    all the way CGB? that too far from town, ppl can even say them going check it out lunch time... i never even knew it had something call food fete
  • Hmm (15/09/2015, 09:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm not sure why they are calling it a launch.. Seems like just a press conference to me.
  • Smile (15/09/2015, 10:45) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    To lol,

    Seems like nobody went to the polls for VIP


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