ANNUAL CULINARY FESTIVAL KICKS OFF WITH PORT LUCAYA LAUNCH EVENT AUGUST 3
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, July 29, 2024 — The highly anticipated Grand Bahama Island Restaurant Festival (GBI Restaurant Fest) is set to return for its third year, showcasing the island’s vibrant culinary scene from August 3-17, 2024. Organized by the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board (GBIPB), the festival will celebrate the culinary diversity, talent, and unique foods available on Grand Bahama Island.
The festival kicks off with “A Taste of Grand Bahama” at the Port Lucaya Marketplace on August 3, from 12-7 p.m. This family-friendly launch event will feature live entertainment, activities, and a showcase of the marketplace’s diverse food and beverage vendors. It sets the stage for two weeks of culinary exploration across Grand Bahama Island.
From August 3-17, participating restaurants from throughout the island will offer prix fixe, multi-course menus that allow diners to savor the best of Bahamian cuisine. From fine dining establishments to casual beachfront eateries, the festival aims to celebrate the island’s culinary diversity. This year’s participating restaurants include The Galley Restaurant, Portobellos at The Grand Lucayan Resort, The Green Gamut, Silk Café, Upstairs on the Bay, the Flying Fish Gastro Bar, Senor Frogs, Zorba’s Restaurant, Pisces Restaurant, Out Da Sea, E.J.’s Bayside, Hartman’s Place Da Crab House, The Stoned Crab, Off The Deep Edge, West Side Grille, and Merport Bistro.
The 2024 festival theme is “Sustainable Fishing and Farm/Sea to Table Cuisine,” which underscores a commitment to environmental stewardship. The GBIPB has partnered with local culinary and conservation communities to promote sustainable practices, educate on responsible consumption, and support local fishing initiatives.
“The GBI Restaurant Fest will be part of a larger educational campaign that aims to connect the local fishing community with restaurants while raising awareness about respecting and adhering to conch sizing guidelines and lobster/grouper/stone crab seasons,” noted Ian Rolle, Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board Chairman. “It also spreads the message that while lionfish are delicious, they are not native to Bahamian waters and can threaten local marine and coral life due to their lack of natural predators. In an effort to limit the lionfish population, local fishing communities and restaurants have been encouraged to catch and eat these beautiful fish as much as possible.”
In addition to the culinary delights, the festival coincides with the start of the Bahamas lobster season on August 1, as well as cultural events such as the weekly Smith’s Point Fish Fry and the High Rock Sea Festival on August 5. These events further enrich the festival’s experience, offering visitors a glimpse into Grand Bahama’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
“The GBI Restaurant Fest is not just about food; it’s a celebration of our culture and community,” said Meshell Britton, GBIPB Administrator and Grand Bahama Island Restaurant Fest Committee Member. “It’s an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to experience the richness of our culinary offerings and enjoy the unique flavors that Grand Bahama has to offer.”
Britton added that the August 3 event at the Port Lucaya Marketplace will also showcase more than food and beverage offerings for attendees. “We are very excited to be introducing ‘A Taste of Grand Bahama at the Port Lucaya Marketplace’ event to this year’s lineup. There will be live entertainment by some of Grand Bahama’s top music artists, special food and drink promotions for purchase, complimentary conch salad, lionfish, and bush tea samplings, face painting, and other activities for the entire family. And, while enjoying the delicious food and drink specials available throughout the day, we encourage visitors and residents to check out the straw market and the many other shops and vendors in Port Lucaya.”
Nikia Wells, Public Relations and Brand Lead for the festival, emphasized the diversity of dining options on the island: “Grand Bahama’s food scene is incredibly diverse, with restaurants offering everything from traditional Bahamian dishes to international cuisines. The festival provides a platform for our talented chefs to showcase their creativity while supporting local fishermen and conservation efforts.”
Wells also noted that the event would not have been possible without the support of the Grand Bahama culinary community as well as the event sponsors and partners. “We would like to say a massive thank you to our sponsors—the Port Lucaya Marketplace and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, all of the participating restaurants and vendors, and our various partners who will have booths on August 3, including the Bahamas National Trust, Caribbean Wines and Spirits, and People-to-People.”
Rolle added that the GBI Restaurant Fest is just a taste of what is to come for the GBIPB. “Food is such an important component of our culture. We celebrate with food. We welcome visitors into our homes with food. We show love and appreciation with food. And, we are excited to allow residents and visitors a chance to come together, relax, and truly enjoy the spirit of the island through the exceptional dishes that the chefs are bringing to the table during the event. This is just one of the initiatives that the GBIPB has introduced in recent years. The Board has completely revamped the Grand Bahama branding with a refreshed look and feel, introduced the Grand Life Magazine, which now reaches over 1.5 million readers worldwide, launched new vibrant visuals and commercials, refreshed our social media channels, and increased our marketing efforts to support exciting programs that raise awareness about the wonders of Grand Bahama globally. We have also introduced a number of events and member perks like informational training sessions. We are already planning for 2025 with a lineup of cultural initiatives, and we hope that visitors and residents alike enjoy this taste of what Grand Bahama has to offer.”
The GBIPB also has an ongoing #LoveGrandBahama campaign that Rolle notes is intended to showcase the beauty of the island. “There are so many reasons to love Grand Bahama, and we want our fellow Bahamians to love and embrace the many wonders of the island. We also want visitors to love Grand Bahama as much as we do, and spread that admiration and appreciation with their friends and family members.”
For more information on participating restaurants and the event, please visit www.grandbahamavacations.com.
NOTE: Photos were taken by Aryana Joy Roberts
