Great Bay:--- The island's leading restaurants and chefs are signing up to set the Boardwalk aflame with their "taastys" offerings when Flaavors of St. Maarten Food and Wine Festival hits the Boardwalk in its final day Sunday, November 14, 2010. Dubbed Sunday Flaavors Fest, the event will gather more than 30 local restaurants under a giant tent on the Boardwalk from 12 noon until 5:00pm, who will be offering bite-size samples of their food to the public.
"Flaavors of St. Maarten Food and Wine Festival is an innovative concept that will back up our claim as the 'Culinary Capital of the Caribbean'," says the island's first Minister of Tourism, Frankie Meyers. "The event on the Boardwalk is the highlight of this festival which is the initiative of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau," the minister revealed. "As such, it is important for all those involved in the food business to take full advantage of it to promote their establishments."
The organizers offer to purchase up to $200 in food ingredients from Merchants Market for registered participants to use in the preparation of the signature food they will be showcasing at Flaavor Fest.
In addition, they will be provided free of cost with a booth, a table size 8' x 24", electricity and ice. They will even receive free paper plates and napkins for food sampling.
"This is a good opportunity for our food specialists to come together under one roof – so to speak – to offer samplings of their specialties to the public in a relaxed and festive atmosphere," noted Director of Tourism Regina LaBega.
Registration forms for the Sunday Flaavors Fest can be obtained at Merchants Market as well as the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. Registration is free. Some of the restaurants that have already registered for the event include Taloula Mango, Johnny B Under the Tree, Plantation, Barefoot, Bamboo Bernies, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, Ocean Terrace at Holland House hotel and others.
Tickets for the event are available at $45 per person at the two locations of Van Dorp bookstores and at the Mailbox in Simpson Bay.
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.
