There’s no such thing as too many food festivals in paradise, only too few vacation days with which we can try to attend them all. But the newest event coming to the Bahamas will undoubtedly once again prove to the region how well Nassau and Paradise Island know how to entertain visitors. The Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival takes place at Atlantis Paradise Island March 15-19, and the lineup is packed with tastings and parties that will lure stars far beyond those scheduled to attend.
Food festivals are nothing without their culinary masters, and this one is bringing in some huge names. Duff Goldman, Alex Guarnaschelli, JJ Johnson, Aarón Sánchez, Alon Shaya, Michael White, and Andrew Zimmern will all be dishing out their best concepts and treats across the five-day itinerary.
The centerpiece of the schedule will be Taste of Paradise, during which chefs Johnson, Shaya, and Zimmern will welcome their friends and colleagues to showcase their efforts. Other programs include an Ice Cream Social hosted by Goldman and featuring the resort’s best dessert chefs and Tacos and Cocktails, which will be popular on name alone, with Sánchez and festival mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim.
Arguably the biggest party will be the Jerk Jam, a tribute to the Caribbean flavor with Guarnaschelli and Johnson, featuring a live performance by Wyclef Jean. Goldman’s Sugar and Spice event will also combine cuisine and nightlife energy, as he’ll be taking the dessert game to an even bigger level at The Cove’s pool while DJ Kim Lee from Netflix’s Bling Empire spins.
Guests who want a more laidback opportunity to meet and enjoy dishes from some of the amazing chefs will be able to attend the Celebrity Chef Wine Lunches and Dinners led by Guarnaschelli, Sánchez, White, and Zimmern. With five days of this much food and excitement, maybe we should find a resort that’s hosting a nap festival the following week.
Best of all, this inaugural festival—an expansion of the resort’s previous Taste of Paradise Food and Wine Festival—will raise money and awareness for the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, which is devoted to protecting and preserving the marine life throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean Sea.
The event is especially symbolic for Atlantis Paradise Island, as the beloved resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary by unveiling some exciting new renovations and culinary concepts.
