“The best culinary festival around” were the words used by the Minister of Tourism, Ian Gooding – Edghill to describe Barbados Food and Rum Festival 2023.

The culinary treat officially kicked off with a Media Welcome Reception at a quaint beachside property in the community of Bethsheba located on the east coast of Barbados.

The #SLEEKtravel team caught up with Minister Gooding-Edghill and he said the festival is “an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture and for the country to display its culinary delights on offer.”

Food and Rum Festival has been a calendar event for Barbados for 12 years, attracting foodies and other interests to the island for a week-long of activities. This year, the organisers sought to market the festival in a different way, going into small communities and showcasing spectacular food offerings from street food to world-class restaurants.

The injection of journalists, food vloggers, and other social media influencers is an added part of the festival, strategically placed to market the island as not just a holiday destination but a culinary stop all year round.

With several top-tier events like the highly anticipated Rise and Rum – yellow-themed premium breakfast beach party and the ultra-premium red carpet event, Liquid Gold Feast (which culminates the festival week) certainly Food and Rum Festival is a must-add to your calendar and #CertifiedSLEEK if you have never been.