As everyone is beginning to work on his or her holiday calendars, the Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) Festival Noel committee hopes that everyone in Grand Bahama has already saved the date for their annual event on the first Friday of December (4th).

This year’s Festival Noel will be the 21st celebration for the Grand Bahama Regional Branch of the BNT and will feature a variety of Bristol Cellars wines, local artists, entertainment and of course food – all part of the Chef Noel competition.

“We are thrilled to have so many returning restaurants and are so excited to have so many new ones as well,” noted Lakeshia Anderson, Grand Bahama National Parks Manager and member of the Festival Noel committee. “The Chef Noel competition is always a huge highlight of the festival, and with the huge variety of restaurants participating this year, there will be something to suit everyone’s tastes.”

Last year’s champ Agave will be returning, along with Dive-In Bar and Restaurant, Senor Frogs and Newlife Natural Vegetation. Newcomers to the event will be Bahamas Adventures, showing off their lunch and dinner menu, as well as two dessert participants: Choclatess Island Delights and Better Than Roses, both featuring tasty and sweet choices!

Three year supporter, Bahamas Wholesale Agency, will again assist the restaurants with their culinary needs as Festival Noel draws one of the largest crowds to pour into the Rand Nature Centre for the BNT’s only annual fundraiser in Freeport.

“We feel a lot of enthusiasm to participate in this year’s Festival Noel,” said Cesar Ochoa, General Manager of Bahamas Adventures, a first time attendee. “It is a great opportunity to get closer to the local community, share time and also reveal some of our exciting plans for next year. It is a great challenge and a refreshing activity for our kitchen staff that works so hard all year. We look forward to learn and entertain, and hopefully to leave a great taste in your mouth!”

Another newcomer to the event will be Latess Bartlett of Chocolatess Island Delights who recently won the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s 2015 Entrepreneurship Award as well the Prestigious 2015 MOYSC Minister's Cup for Overall Bahamas Youth of Excellence Award. At only 16 she will be the youngest chef showing off her talents to the festive crowd.

Tickets for Festival Noel will go on sale in the next week and will be available at the Rand Nature Centre in Grand Bahama, Bristol Wines and Sprits on Cedar Street, Art of Giving in the Seventeen Centre and at Barefoot Marketing on West Mall and Adventurers Way. You can RSVP to the event page on Facebook to see what else is in store at this year’s event, to find out when the tickets will go on sale, or to just share the event with friends.

Festival Noel is the only fundraiser for the GB branch of the BNT and 100% of ticket sales go to protecting and preserving GB national parks. The BNT encourages everyone to sign up for BNT membership before the event as tickets for BNT members are $5 less than non-members and they can enter to win the BNT’s great Island Hop giveaway.

Newlife Vegetation Set to Return This Year
Newlife Vegetation will be making its second appearance at Festival Noel and will be trying to take the crown from last year's winner Agave.  Tickets for Festival Noel where you can see and judge the Chef Noel competition will go on sale in the next week and will be available at the Rand Nature Centre in Grand Bahama, Bristol Wines and Sprits on Cedar Street, Art of Giving in the Seventeen Centre and at Barefoot Marketing on West Mall and Adventurers Way.

Last Year's Winner of the Chef Noel Competition - Agave
Last year’s Chef Noel winner, Agave, will be returning to try and make it a repeat win. Joining them will be returning restaurants  Dive-In Bar and Restaurant, Senor Frogs and Newlife Natural Vegetation. Newcomers to the event will be Bahamas Adventures, showing off their lunch and dinner menu, as well as two dessert participants: Choclatess Island Delights and Better Than Roses, both featuring tasty and sweet choices!

Bahamas Adventures Ready to Enchant Guests for the First Time
“We feel a lot of enthusiasm to participate in this year’s Festival Noel,” said Cesar Ochoa, General Manager of Bahamas Adventures, a first time attendee. “It is a great opportunity to get closer to the local community, share time and also reveal some of our exciting plans for next year. It is a great challenge and a refreshing activity for our kitchen staff that works so hard all year. We look forward to learn and entertain, and hopefully to leave a great taste in your mouth!”

Festival Noel Provides a Great Opportunity to Sign Up for BNT Membership
Festival Noel is the only fundraiser for the GB branch of the BNT and 100% of ticket sales go to protecting and preserving GB national parks. The BNT encourages everyone to sign up for BNT membership before the event as tickets for BNT members are $5 less than non-members and they can enter to win the BNT’s great Island Hop giveaway. (All photos courtesy of Barefoot Marketing)