Crazy for pelau, curry crab and dumplings, doubles or international food?

Check out our list of Trinidad and Tobago’s top annual culinary events.  The most popular food festivals are Trinidad’s Taste T&T and the Tobago Culinary Festival held at Pigeon Point Heritage Park.  The festivals and events listed below are held annually (current/past dates are included when possible and $ = Admission Fee).

Two ongoing events are worth noting – Trinidad’s monthly UPMARKET event at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, which brings together local food artisans and other vendors, and FANATIC KITCHEN STUDIO‘s kitchen limes, chef’s tables and cooking classes.

JANUARY – See January 2013 Food & Wine Events Calendar here.

FEBRUARY – Link to the the complete February 2013 Food & Wine Events Calendar

Taste of Carnival (TRINIDAD) at TTHTI - February 8, 2013 - Billed as TTHTI’s annual Carnival fete, this event brings local food delights and live music from leading performers under one roof. Guests can sample Creole and Indian dishes, local sweets, cutters, condiments, and popular food & beverages. (Sponsor/Organizer – Trinidad & Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI)) $

MARCH - Link to the the complete March 2013 Food & Wine Events Calendar

APRIL - Link to the the complete April 2013 Food & Wine Events Calendar

MAY - Link to the the complete May 2013 Food & Wine Events Calendar

Argentinean Food Festival (TRINIDAD) at the Hilton Trinidad - May 22-25, 2013 - TASTE & TANGO OF ARGENTINA at Waterfront Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Trinidad.  Buffet dinner and love entertainment.  Cost is $350/person.  Reserve at (868) 821-6550.  Link to flyer and menu.  $

JUNE

MANGO FESTIVAL (TRINIDAD) – June 7, 2013 - Held in Mt. Hope at the UWI’s Field Station, the festival features a mango market, mango products, grafting demonstrations, milking exhibitions, a children’s corner, horse and pony rides, games, competitions and other entertainment.  Link to 2012 event page.  (Sponsor/Organizer - Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad & Tobago) $

TOBAGO CULINARY FESTIVAL (TOBAGO) - JUNE 23, 2013 - Held at Pigeon Point Heritage Park, this is Tobago’s premier culinary event (and it’s at the beach!). “Festival patrons will be treated to cooking competitions, demonstration kitchens, bar and mixology competition, and of course the outstanding cuisine of restaurants and caterers from Tobago.”  (Sponsor/Organizer - THA Division of Tourism & Transportation)  Free Admission

Dining With The Saints (TRINIDAD) - Hosted by the St. Mary’s College Past Students’ Union and held at the College’s “Big Yard,” this fundraiser (featuring gourmet food and a complimentary bar) is a well-known intercollegiate culinary competition attracting the participation of local politicians and business leaders. Past student organisations of top secondary schools in North Trinidad participate in the competition. (Sponsor/Organizer – St. Mary’s College Past Students’ Union) $

JULY

QRC “Chefs Royal” (TRINIDAD) - July 27, 2013 - Chefs Royal is a popular fundraising event organized by Queen’s Royal College alumni.  A wide variety of local food is available and the QRC Old Boys’ Association invites all ‘chefs’ to demonstrate their culinary skills by presenting a dish at the event.  Live entertainment and prize giveaways are also featured. Link to 2012 event page. (Sponsor/Organizer - Queen’s Royal College Old Boys’ Association) $

AUGUST

Indian Food Festival (TRINIDAD) at the Hilton Trinidad - The Indian Food Festival treats guests to a celebration of authentic Indian cusine, entertainment and culture at the Hilton Trinidad.  Link to Flyer.  (Sponsors/Organizers - Hilton Trinidad in collaboration with The High Commission for the Republic of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations) $

Angostura RUMLAND – Isle of Rum (TRINIDAD) - Rum, rum, rum!  An all-inclusive party not to be missed with top notch food, drinks, and live entertainment (Kes The Band, Karma, KI, Iwer,Blaxx and more).  Link to 2012 RUMLAND event page. (Sponsor/Organizer - House of Angostura) $

SEPTEMBER

Angostura Rum Festival (TRINIDAD) - This beloved three-day annual rum festival offers Angostura factory tours, cocktail competitions, live cooking demonstrations, a ‘Kitchen Master Challenge’ featuring local chefs, and of course giveaways and prizes.  ”Tickets available from The House of Angostura and McCann Erickson in Ellerslie Plaza, $50 for a one day pass and $125 for a 3 day pass.”  Link to 2012 Angostura Rum Festival event page on Facebook.  (Sponsor/Organizer - House of Angostura) $

Saute Trinbago (TRINIDAD) - Billed as a “culinary & cultural journey,” Saute Trinbago features the food and sounds of Trinidad and Tobago. Saute’s local food “flavours” for sampling include Curry Crab & Dumplings; Saheena, Aloo Pies, Pholourie, Biganie; Roti; Pelau; Sushi; Gyros; Chinese appetizers; Doubles; Geera Pork; Oil Down; Sancoche; Souse; Bake & Shark; Corn Soup; and a Sweets Station with sugar cake, nut cake, red mango, fudge, paw paw balls, jub jub and much more. (Sponsor/Organizer – Saute Trinbago) $

OCTOBER 

BLUE FOOD FESTIVAL (TOBAGO) - Celebrate Tobago’s unique blue food cuisine at the Blue Food Festival!  Guests are treated to cooking demonstrations and competitions, samples of local chefs’ creations, and entertainment by popular local performers.  LINK TO MORE INFORMATION ON 2012 BLUE FOOD FESTIVAL and link to 2012 Tobago Blue Food Festival pictures!  (Sponsor/Organizer - THA Division of Tourism & Transportation)  Free Admission

World Food Day (TOBAGO) -Tobago’s annual World Food Day exhibition is a sight to behold with villages island-wide displaying prized produce alongside dishes made from local staple foods like dasheen and cassava. Live stock, poultry and fish products are also on display. Prepared food, fruits, vegetables and plants are available for purchase and live entertainers perform on both evenings of the two-day exhibition.

Oktoberfest at the Hilton Trinidad (TRINIDAD) - Enjoy authentic Bavarian Cuisine at the Hilton’s Pool Terrace Garden Restaurant.  Live entertainment nightly and prizes. 2012 Admission Price is $340 per person exclusive of tax & service charge.  Link to event flyer. (Sponsors/Organizer: Hilton Trinidad; German Embassy in Port of Spain)  $

Brasso Seco Cook-Out Fest (TRINIDAD) - This annual event represents culinary tourism at its best because it exposes local indigenous culinary traditions that are unknown to most Trinidadians. Festival guests can enjoy Brasso Seco’s food, sights and sounds via the village cook-out, a hike on the Paria Trail and live parang music performed by residents of Brasso Seco. Don’t miss the smoked meats! (Sponsor: Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Brasso Seco Community) Free Admission

Taste T&T (TRINIDAD) - Taste T&T International Culinary Festival is the country’s largest foodie festival featuring the irresistible cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago. Local and international chefs are on hand to share their culinary techniques, cooking demonstrations and workshops, along with entertainment and other fun activities. (Sponsor/Organizer – Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago) $

NOVEMBER 

Fète De La Cocoa – “On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of The Cocoa Research Unit (now Cocoa Research Centre) the Centre aims to bring awareness to the potential of the cocoa industry through a two-day celebration at JFK Auditorium.”  The goal of this event is to garner stakeholder and public support of economic diversification through developing the cocoa value chain.”  Link to event page on Facebook.  (Organizer - Cocoa Research Centre)

T&T Drinks Festival - The “T&T Drinks Festival presents ‘Souk’ — A celebration of beer, spirits & wine, plus so much more. Drink different!”  The Trinidad & Tobago Drinks Festival is a breakthrough event celebrating beer, spirits & wine.”  Guests will stroll between tents laden with lights and lanterns, equipped with tokens to spend on the unique experiences waiting in every booth – dancers, mixologists, art, music and more.” Catch up with the T&T Drinks Festival at www.ttdrinksfestival.com and on Facebook or  Twitter!

NOTE: All events and their dates and/or locations are subject to be changed and/or be cancelled.

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