Returning for its fourth year, St. Martin is set to host its 2024 edition of Festival de La Gastronomie. Following up on last year’s innovative and exciting event is no easy feat, but participants should gear up for an entirely novel but equally inspiring gastronomic experience. Aiming to showcase local and international cuisine unique to each region, prepare to savour a bold blend of flavours compliments of dozens of world-class chefs.
As visitors begin to plan their trip to the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, with over 120 nationalities, this island exudes richness and diversity, enthralling you with spices and seasonings. The Festival’s primary goal is to highlight the diversity of St. Martins’s culinary world by spotlighting those who support and lead it. Generating an uproar of excitement and bringing together a multitude of local and international restaurateurs, visitors devour the chance to consume the freshest high-quality ingredients in the world.
Inviting visitors to the French side of St. Martin from November 11-22, 2024 to celebrate the culinary arts, chefs will illustrate what the art of food means to them, offering tastings of their finest creations.
What’s Cooking at This Year’s “Festival de La Gastonomie”
Taste of Sunrise: Come to taste the sunrise from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on November 10th at 978 Beach on the gorgeous Friar’s Bay. This pre-event, before the Festival de La Gastronomie kicks off, will host a brunch on the beach to savour the distinctive flavours of Saint Martin.
Dinner by 2 chefs: OnNovember 11, 12 and 14, Dinner will be prepared by 2 chefs. With locations still being determined, restaurants will host guest chefs who will collaborate with resident chefs to create an explosion of flavours to enjoy.
Food & Cocktail Pairing: On November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., stop at the Marina Fort Louis in Marigot for food and cocktail pairings. Uncover exquisite and premier dishes that showcase contemporary Caribbean and international flavours, served with artisanal cocktails crafted to complement every bite.
Gastronomy Village: From November 15 to 17, head to the Waterfront for the Gastronomy Village, the festival’s main event. Thirty top-tier restaurants and food trucks will be attending, providing exquisite cuisine to visitors.
BBQ Competition: Next, on November 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., taste some amazing BBQ. Open to all BBQ enthusiasts, cooks compete for the top spot.
Charity Evening: On November 20 – come support Daniella Jeffry Vocational High School. Combining flavour with solidarity, the number one goal is to bring together renowned chefs and influential personalities to support the education and training of youth on the island.
Closing Evening: To close out Festival de La Gastronomie, attend the closing ceremony with a
gourmet dinner prepared by guest chefs on November 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
What’s New at the 2024 Gastronomy Festival?
As the Festival de La Gastronomie improves each year, participants can anticipate a wine and cheese pairing on Wednesday, November 13. This event will offer an evening of delight with fine wines and exquisite cheeses carefully selected to tantalize your taste buds. Expert sommeliers and fromagers will guide you through tasting the best combination and unlock new aromas. Additionally, attend night workshops on November 13 and 20, where attendees of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in outdoor cooking workshops led by local and international chefs exploring the latest flavours.
Let the Games Begin: Stirring Up Excitement at the Festival’s Competitions
The Titles at Stakes are:
- Best Table of Saint Martin 2024 (final based on a tasting challenge) Gourmet Stars category (fine dining restaurants)
- City Stars Category (city restaurants)
- Beach Stars Category (beachside restaurants)
- Authentic Stars Category (traditional and local cuisine restaurants)
- Best Dessert
- Best Food truck
- Best Service / Welcome Public Favorite
- Private Chefs Competition
- Best Mixologist
- BBQ Competition
Featured Ingredient: Guavaberry
This year, the star ingredient of Festival de La Gastronomie is the guavaberry. The guavaberry is an authentic symbol of St. Martin’s heritage, intersecting sweet and tangy notes. It is used as a main ingredient in crafting beverages, including the famous guavaberry liqueur, which is primarily enjoyed during the festive season in St. Martin. In addition, this Caribbean fruit is used to create a plentiful array of dishes, desserts, and jams. The guavaberry, with its red or purple hue when fully ripe, is modest, smaller than a cherry, and has thin and delicate skin. A true love letter to food lovers and gourmets, St. Martin is thrilled to host you for 11 days, honoring the island’s vibrant culinary arts scene. With a burst of flavour and countless culinary discoveries awaiting you, prepare to indulge in the passion and expertise chefs have spent years perfecting.
Mark your calendars and visit https://www.festival-st-martin.com/en for more information.
