FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, February 20, 2020 – The Islands Of The Bahamas used the international stage of the recent Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®), to say thank you to Chef José Andrés. The legendary Chef and his team were responsible for providing some 3.2 million meals to victims of Hurricane Dorian, which struck the island nation in September of 2019 and caused massive destruction and devastation to Great Abaco, and Grand Bahama.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation presented the humanitarian with a portrait of himself, by world renowned Bahamian artist, Jamaal Rolle, on Thursday night at the SOBEWFF® event, Feeding the World presented by Open Table and hosted by Chef Andrés.
“Our country is forever in your debt for your limitless love, kindness, thoughtfulness and support demonstrated in the massive outreach you organized to feed thousands affected by the storm,” The Ministry’s Executive Director of Marketing, Mrs. Bridgette King, said while presenting the gift to Chef Andrés.
The well-attended walk-around tasting event was one of a number of events at SOBEWFF® that featured a lineup of more than 100 events. Activities stretched from Miami-Dade and Broward to Palm Beach counties and showcased culinary talent from around the world as well as foremost wine and spirits selections to choose from.
One of the highlights of the weekend of events was the Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village featuring Grand Tasting Tents and Publix Culinary Demonstrations sponsored by Sub-Zero Group Southeast.
A culinary team from The Bahamas was a part of the Grand Tasting Village and received rave reviews from attendees. Thousands enjoyed the tastings of Bahamian native cuisine, including Conch Fritters and Bean ‘n Rice with Lobster and Conch. Also served at the Bahamas booth were the alcoholic beverages, Guava Bomb and Passion Fruit. The Bahamian team also provided tastings of one of The Bahamas’ signature alcoholic beverages, Kalik Beer. The culinary team’s sponsors for the event included Bahamasair and Baha Mar Resorts.
The Festival celebrated its 19th edition and all net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University.
“The Bahamas is gratified to have been allowed the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious event,” said Betty Bethel, Director of Sales, Bahamas Tourist Office Florida. “This grand and extensive food venue gave us the opportunity to show our gratitude to a giant of a man who served our country well in our time of need. It also allowed for us to promote our country and get the word out to the tens of thousands in attendance at the festival that, The Bahamas is open for business.”
For more information on The Islands Of The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com.
Bahamas Culinary team and local Bahamas Tourism marketing team, that represented the country at the recent 2020 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival, presented by Capital One. L-R: Jamal Small, Heron Cove Resident Chef; Kevyn Pratt, Baha Mar - Royal Blu Executive Chef & Caribbean Journal Chef of the Year; DeAnne Gibson, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Manager Culinary Tourism; Melanie Marshall, BMOT Culinary Department; Tevin Kemp, Baha Mar Carna Sous Chef; Derrick Blackmon, Baha Mar Grand Hyatt Jazz Bar; Sanique Culmer, Marketing Manager, Bahamas Tourist Office Florida, and Adrian Kemp, Sr. Marketing Representative, BTO, Florida. Photo credit Bahamas Tourist Office
Bahamas team at presentation of portrait to Chef Andrés. L-R Sanique Culmer, Marketing Manager, Bahamas Tourist Office (BTO) Florida; Adrian Kemp, Sr. Marketing Representative BTO FLorida; Chef José Andrés; Bridgette King, Executive Director Marketing, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) and DeAnne Gibson, Manager Culinary Department, BMOTA. Photo Credit: WorldRedEye.com at the 2020 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One.
