The event, an initiative of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, is scheduled to begin on November 10, and end on November 14, 2010 with a Flaavors Fest on the Boardwalk.
According to Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega, "the dates were deliberately chosen to fall around St. Maarten Day as a symbol of the unity of the island and what unites us more than our food?"
"We decided to create and establish an annual event that will help showcase our positioning as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. With more than 300 restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine, the idea is for Flaavors to bring together in St. Maarten some of the best chefs in the world along with some of the most sought-after and critically- acclaimed wineries in the world, who jointly with the chefs, wine and food distributors, hoteliers and other stakeholders of the St. Maarten hospitality industry will help us celebrate the best that St. Maarten has to offer," LaBega said.
She added that proceeds from one of the events, the St. Maarten Celebration Dinner and Benefit Auction, scheduled for Friday, November 12, at the Westin Resort will go towards the Sundial School culinary department. "The Sundial School will be featured prominently in this festival because we believe our youngsters who have decided for a career in this very important sector should be encouraged in every way possible," LaBega added.
The program of events also includes champagne and wine tastings, as well as cooking demonstrations that will be held simultaneously at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and the Westin Dawn Beach Resort.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, and Telecommunications, Frankie Meyers is upbeat about the significance of the festival for the island. "Flaavors, by its very nature, will apart from celebrating the diversity and richness of our food, also help attract visitors to the island, generate new business as well as representations for our wine and food distributors," Minister Meyers said.
"I am happy to note that world-class chefs like Iron Chef participant Forgione will be here to share their skills with our own award-winning chefs during the festival. I am looking forward to a very successful event," the minister said.
Following is the Schedule of Events for Flaavors of St. Maarten which can be accessed via: http://www.flaavors.com/events.html.
- Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 - The Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione at Porto Cupecoy, 7 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
- Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 - The Oakville Ranch Winemaker Dinner with Chefs Wayne Nish, Doug Psaltis and Dino Jagtiani at Temptations Restaurant, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
- Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 - The St. Maarten Celebration Dinner & Benefit Auction at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 7 pm. Ticket: $150 per person. Auction proceeds will benefit the St. Maarten National Culinary Team.
- Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 - Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations by Chef Wayne Nish at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, 10 am, and chef Ken Frank at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 10 am. Tickets are $40 per person for each event.
- Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - "Napa Valley Rocks" conducted wine tasting by the Napa Valley Vinters Association, 12 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. Participating wineries: Flying Horse Winery, Grgich Hills Winery, The Hess Collection, Jones Family Vineyards, Luna Vineywards, The Miner Family Vineyards, Oakville Ranch Vineyards and Peju Vineyards. Participating panelists: Dan Bailey, The Jones Family Vienyards; Paula Kornell, Oakville Ranch Vineyards; and Michael Davis, Hart Davis Hart Wine Company.
- Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - The Luna Vineyards Winemaker dinner with Chef Ken Frank at Aura Restaurant, 7:30 pm. tickets: $150 per person
- Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - St. Maarten Flaavors Festival (Phillipsburg Beachfront and Boardwalk), 12 pm - 5 pm. Tickets: $45 per person. Participation by 40 of the top restaurants and wine distributors in St. Maarten as well as the Napa Valley Vintners Association, among others.
