Chef Brathwaite to Represent Barbados
Barbados-born chef Jason Brathwaite, now based in the British Virgin Islands, will represent Barbados at the Food, Wine & Rum Festival running Oct. 17–19 at Village Cay. The festival features tastings, live entertainment, Rhythm + Sands events and a Junior Chef Battle between H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies.
Chef Jason Brathwaite — a Barbados-born culinary professional who now lives and works in the British Virgin Islands — has been announced as Barbados’ representative at this year’s Food, Wine & Rum Festival, set for Oct. 17–19 at Village Cay. Brathwaite brings more than two decades of experience gained in kitchens across Canada, England and the United States.
He said that background has helped shape a cooking style that pairs Caribbean flavors with international techniques, focusing on seasonal ingredients and straightforward preparations that highlight balanced flavors and textures. “Great food doesn’t need complexity—just passion, fresh ingredients, and the ability to evoke emotion with every bite,” he wrote in his portfolio.
Festival organisers say the three-day event will showcase tastings, gourmet dishes and live entertainment, with a program designed to appeal to both locals and visitors. Highlights include Rhythm + Sands branded events, a Fish Fête, culinary competitions and family-friendly activities.
For residents of the BVI, the festival offers a chance to see local and regional culinary talent on display while supporting hospitality and tourism businesses that rely on seasonal events. The festival opens Oct. 17 with tasting stations and performances at Village Cay. On Oct. 18, Rhythm + Sands will host a brunch before returning to Village Cay for the Junior Chef Battle between students from H.
Lavity Stoutt Community College and the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies, followed by an evening dinner and the Fish Fête in the Village Cay parking lot. The event concludes Oct. 19 with a champagne brunch, a chef competition, fireworks and a cultural showcase, all at Village Cay.
The inclusion of a Junior Chef Battle gives local culinary students an opportunity to compete on a public stage and to network with established chefs like Brathwaite. For BVI residents, the festival is both an entertainment draw and an economic boost — bringing diners, suppliers and visitors into Road Town and supporting nearby vendors, hotels and tour operators.
Residents interested in attending should monitor festival announcements for ticketing and schedule details. With a mix of international representation and local participation, the Food, Wine & Rum Festival aims to celebrate Caribbean food culture while promoting the BVI as a culinary and tourism destination.
Primary source: JTV