FEATURED PHOTO ABOVE: Chef-Creig-Greenidge-will-be-at-NIFCA-Culinary-Arts-Expo-this-weekend-
February 22, 2024
Subject: NIFCA food expo at Agrofest again
Food lovers of all ages and from all walks of life are in store for a
captivating realm of culinary delight when flavours and talent collide at the
NIFCA Culinary Arts Expo at Agrofest over the weekend.
The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has been a proud sponsor of
Agrofest over the years, however, the NIFCA Culinary Expo, on Saturday
and Sunday, is now in its second year.
NCF Festival & Events Planner Karen Pestaina is promising an exciting
and fantastic display of culinary mastery. This, as some of Barbados’ top
chefs and mixologists utilise locally sourced ingredients to serve up
gastronomic delights, of which patrons who visit booth G14 at Queen’s
Park will get the opportunity to sample.
Pestaina explained that the NCF is celebrating several anniversaries this
year, including the 50 th anniversary of the National Independence Festival
of Creative Arts (NIFCA) as well as the 40 th year for the NCF.
“What you will get to see are some of our fantastic top chefs utilising local
products. Many times, people may not be aware of how many condiments
that we have locally made by young entrepreneurs and business people, so
we will be showing that also,” she said.
The culinary expo will showcase a wide cross-section of entrepreneurs,
many of whom are past NIFCA participants, who have developed into
businesses through the NCF’s Business Development grant and the BTMI
Accelerator Programme. These eight exhibitors will have a variety of local
products on offer.
Another treat this year is the tasty corner, which features top chefs Chef
Peter Edey, Chef Creig Greenidge, Chef Kaira Riley and Marlon
Waterman, along with mixologist Ryan Adamson, Philip Cassanova and
Damian Williams. Expect a sweet corner with Azwa Hart.
There’s a special demo in honour of NCF’s 40 th anniversary .
Pestaina added: “We also want to showcase to the public how much we
have done in the NCF. So, it’s going to be really exciting. In celebration of
our anniversaries . . . Chef Marlon is going to be carving in fruit the NCF
logo. So, I am really looking forward to that one because this is a different
way of showcasing our logos. We also added this year two mixologists
because we know they play a great part, both here and internationally, all
of the creative ways of utilising our rum.
“We are also excited to have Chef Yard joining us this time and doing his
sweet potato and salt fish croquette. We have a mixologist who is doing
Passionate Basil Lemonade… and then we have chef Kaira Riley, she is
doing a dish, ‘Bout Hay Uh Come From’, which is utilising steamed fish with
savoury cou cou with a pineapple and tomato salsa…. So, it’s going to be a
great food and beverage event,” she added.
The NCF tent (G14) can be found when you enter the main gate and turn
right, take the first path on right. Pass the bridge on your left and continue
traveling along the path to the 5th stall on your left.
Reminding visitors about last year’s overwhelming patronage of the booth,
Pestaina further noted the need to be early because seating is limited.
However, a screen will be erected to ensure visibility for those people who
are not close enough to see the chefs table. (PR)
[Ends]
