NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (May 30, 2017) — Greg Phillip, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA) believes that the Nevis Mango and Food Festival is moving closer to becoming one of the Caribbean’s premier food festivals.
Phillip, who was at the time delivering remarks at the official launch at Chrishi Beach Club on May 28, 2017, of the festival’s fourth edition, said as the event gathers momentum, it is inching closer to making tourism on Nevis sustainable throughout the year.
“Tourism Nevis is very seasonal, it’s very cyclical but we are going to balance out that graph and this is one of the ways in which we are doing it. We are building into something that is very special,” he said.
The festival, which takes place outside the traditional tourist season, will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2017. It will offer four days of dining experience, cooking demonstrations and master cook-along classes offered by international and local celebrity chefs on Nevis all around the celebration of mangoes cultivated on the island and showcases the island’s culinary scene.
This year’s festival will highlight international chefs, Iron Chef Judy Joo and Celebrity Chef Seamus Mullen, both are affiliated with the Food Network. Chef Mullen will be accompanied by a Mixologist who will be working with a local partner.
Phillip said the chefs will be presented with a unique challenge to prepare every aspect of the meals they will create with mango included.
That’s special because everything that they cook is a new creation. It’s something that no one has ever eaten before and it’s likely something that no one will eat again,” he said.
Judy Joo specialises in Korean food and Chef Mullen specialises in authentic Spanish cuisine.
The NTA official noted that the festival is all about culinary creativity and top celebrity chefs have already shown interest in participating in the 2018 festival.
However, Phillip added that local chiefs are also important Nevis’ culinary scene and by extension the festival. He said the event provides them with an opportunity to showcase their skills on July 9th during the Nevisian Chefs Mango Fest at Oualie Beach from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Thursday July 6th, cooking demonstrations will be held with the visiting chefs at the Mount Nevis Hotel from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a dinner at The Gin Trap restaurant with Chef Seamus Mullen from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The following day Cook-along master classes directed by Chef Judy and Chef Seamus and a local chef will be held at the Ferry terminal Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the Mango Beach Lime, beach bar lunches will be served from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pinneys Beach and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. the Mango Beach Lime Festival Party will be held.
On July 8th, Mango inspired Breakfast/ lunch events will take place at participating restaurants from 12. P.m. to 3 p.m. At 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dinner by Iron Chef Judy Joo will be served at the Mango Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort.
Other remarks were made by Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism Hon. Mark Brantley and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NTA Tim Thuell.
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