A three-day celebration of food and fun saw rum, music and recipes flow across Tortola.
The Village Cay and Rhythm and Sands Food, Wine and Rum Festival included an international competition for chefs from across the Caribbean as well as a separate contest for Virgin Islands youths.
The events from Friday to Sunday played out in Road Town and Cane Garden Bay, where a cook-off at Rhythm and Sands restaurant and bar was accompanied by live music.
“The event was an overwhelming success, with tremendous feedback from both the public and participants,” Wendell King, CEO and general manager of Village Cay Resort and Marina, told the Beacon. “The response has been nothing short of exceptional — so much so that there is a strong public call for the festival to return next year.”
Mr. King said the event will have even more flavours in 2026.
“The 2026 edition will be even bigger and more exciting, expanding to a four-day festival and introducing an enhanced food, rum and wine experience that will further showcase the culinary and cultural richness of the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean,” he said.
The winners
Sunday night’s finale in Road Town saw St. Lucia’s Elijah Jules awarded the top prize in the International Chef Challenge.
But it was local talent that triumphed in the mixologists’ battle, with Village Cay’s Kacy McKella taking top spot, followed by Jem Marques from Rhythm and Sands as runner-up.
The Duelling Junior Chef Challenge also saw strong competition, with Bianca Stoutt of the VI School of Technical Studies cooking her way to the title. But Cedar International School’s Alexandre Wilson, 11, was close behind in second place.
“It is worth noting that Chef Elijah Jules, our chef of the festival, served as the mentor to both the first- and second-place winners of the Junior Duelling Chefs Challenge — an inspiring testament to his commitment to nurturing young culinary talent in the region,” Mr. King said.
He added that the festival brought out the best flavours of the Caribbean.
“Overall, the festival exceeded expectations in attendance, public engagement and the level of regional participation,” he said. “It was a vibrant celebration of Caribbean cuisine, creativity and culture, and we are eager to build on this momentum to make next year’s event even more memorable.”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley joined the opening night in Village Cay, hailing the gathering as “a great showcase” for what the territory has to offer residents and visitors alike.
British Caribbean News
