With all the big annual events and beloved festivals that have been canceled throughout the Caribbean since early 2020, it’s no surprise that many islands are returning with a bang. Especially when it comes to the region’s most anticipated culinary celebrations. While virtual parties and Facebook Live streams helped travelers celebrate in some capacity, nothing beats the sights, sounds, and most certainly the flavors, and that’s undoubtedly the case with the St. Barth Gourmet Food Festival.
Launched in 2014, this annual four-day showcase pairs the island’s best chefs and rising culinary geniuses with Michelin-starred chefs from all over the world, and the spotlight for the 2021 affair will unsurprisingly be on French gastronomy. And while it’s hard to imagine anything much better than that, St. Barth also uses the best hotels, resorts, and restaurants as the venues for each pairing, allowing travelers to also experience everything that makes these properties so amazing.
For a resort like Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf the celebration is twofold. The property will have a massive spotlight on it as it welcomes Chef Pierre Gagnaire from the Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant in Paris, but this is also an opportunity for a second grand opening. Originally slated to open in early 2020, the hotel’s big debut was pushed back following the island’s closure, so this festival will provide a huge opportunity to finally showcase the intimate luxury visitors have been so excited to try.
Other pairings include Chef Eric Frechon of Paris’s Hotel Le Bristol at La Petite Plage; Chef Arnaud Lallement of L’Assiette Champenoise in Tinqueux at Hotel Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth; Chef Jean-Remi Caillon of Le Kintessence Le K2 Palace in Courchevel at Le Tamarin; Chef Nicolas Beaumann of Maison Rostang in Paris at Nikki Beach Saint Barth; Chef Dimitri Droisneau of La Villa Madie in Cassis at Restaurant L’Esprit Saline; Chef Sébastien Vauxion of Le Sarkara at Le K2 Palace in Courchevel at Hotel Christopher; Chef Marcel Ravin of Blue Bay at Monte-Carlo Bay Hôtel & Resort in Monaco at Hotel Manapany; owner and Chef Juan Arbelaez of Yaya, Vida, Plantxa, and Levain in Paris at Hotel Le Sereno; Chef Matthias Marc of Substance et Liquide in Paris at Zion Saint Barth; and Chef Jean Imbert of Cheval Blanc St Barth Isle de France.
Each chef will prepare a multi-course dinner for guests, while a variety of additional activities and entertainment will be announced as the event nears.
Before booking flights or stays at any St. Barth hotels and resorts, travelers should be aware of and adhere to the island’s health and safety protocols.
