St. Lucia’s agricultural sector is getting a high-tech boost.

It’s called the Virtual Agricultural Clearing House, and it’s a digital platform through which the island’s hotels, restaurants and distributors can get info on the availability of crops.

The VACH, which is a project by the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association’s Tourism Enhancement Fund, has already seen sales of 42,318 pounds of produce in its first three months in operation.

That’s brought in revenue of $127,044, according to the SLHTA.

The figures directly reflect reported purchases by hotels and distributors from local farmers on the island.

One local farer, Moses Rene, said his sales had increased “considerably” from the program.

“This is tourism dollars directly in the pockets of our farmers,” the SLHTA said in a statement.

The post A High-Tech Boost for St. Lucia’s Farmers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Grand Bahama, particularly the island’s western end, was one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew earlier this month.

Now, the process of rebuilding has begun, as an assessment continues of the state of the island’s hotel infrastructure.

“We have to be honest about Grand Bahama because that’s the only way we can move forward,” said Bahamas Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe. “Tourism on the island has come to a grinding halt. Hotels, restaurants and tour operators have all been affected by Hurricane Matthew, but there is hope and Grand Bahamians are resilient. Everywhere you go on this island people are working. People are working on their homes; people are working at the hotels to fix those properties. Grand Bahama will rise again, better and stronger.”

Here’s the current state of the island’s hotel product, according to tourism officials:

Based on initial damage assessments, Viva Wyndham Fortuna said it expects to open on November 14.

Castaways, which had roof damage resulting in 32 rooms being out of order, remains open. The hotel has water, wifi and limited electricity.

Pelican Bay had minor roof damage to its conference center, which is currently being repaired. The property is taking corporate business and restoration teams only and is not open to leisure guests. Its restaurant, Sabor, is also open.

Work on Memories Resort is expected to begin soon and the company said in a statement released on Tuesday it is expected to open on December 10. Until then the 500 staff members will undergo extensive customer service retraining ahead of its proposed opening date.

The Grand Lucayan, which includes the Lighthouse Pointe and Breakers Cay, had water damage and roof damage. Lighthouse Pointe is expected to open November 7.

Flamingo Bay Resort had minor damage and is awaiting the restoration of power before opening.

Taino Beach Resort received extensive damage and officials there gave no timeframe for opening.

The Old Bahama Bay Resort sustained minimal damage and will open once power and water have been restored.

A team of workers are currently assessing the damage to the Ocean Reef Resort and no opening date has been given at this point.

Cruise lines have begun making adjustments, while Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is still carrying passengers to Freeport.

The post Grand Bahama Tourism Begins Rebuilding After Hurricane appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Summer’s over and the Christmas holiday is quickly approaching. Trinis love a good holiday celebration, especially when it comes to the food. Pastelles are a traditional delicacy during the Christmas season in Trinidad even though they are also consumed at other times throughout the year. Although widely found around the Caribbean, pastelles actually originated in Venezuela.

Typically, pastelles are made from cornmeal that is steamed and filled with meat and other ingredients, such as olives and raisins, then wrapped in banana leaves. Throughout the years, pastelles have taken on many variations as the tastes of the public have changed; they have taken on the names of chicken, fish, vegetarian and soya pastelles with flour rather than cornmeal used. Locals would not call these versions pastelles as their beloved original is made strictly with cornmeal and stuffed with minced beef. No matter how the pastelles are made, the crucial step that stays the same is wrapping them in banana leaves, which have been lightly placed over an open fire to reduce stiffness. Twine is tied like a bow around the wrapped pastelles to keep the banana leaves in place while boiling.

Here’s my favorite pastelles recipe:

Filling
1 lb. minced beef
2 onions, finely chopped
1 bunch chive
1 bunch big leaf thyme
1 hot pepper to taste, finely chopped
1 pimento pepper, finely chopped
1 stalk celery
2 cloves garlic
20 leaves chadon beni
1 bunch fine leaf thyme
Salt to taste
¼ cup roucou (or ketchup)
2 tbsp. capers (optional)
2 tbsp. raisins (optional)
8 olives chopped finely (optional)

Dough
2 cups yellow cornmeal (very fine)
3 cups lukewarm water
4 tbsp. vegetable oil or coconut oil
¼ lb. butter
1¼ tsp. salt

Wrapping
2 -3 large fig (banana) leaves
String to tie

This recipe was submitted by the Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s executive chef Fernando Franco and his team, which are members of this year’s ‘Caribbean National Team of the Year’ at Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.

The post How to Make Trinidad’s Famous Pastelles appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Four Seasons has opened its newest resort in the Caribbean: the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla.

The resort, which is a rebranding of the former Viceroy Anguilla in Barnes Bay on the southwestern corner of the island, becomes Four Seasons’ second Caribbean property along with its flagship resort in Nevis.

The hotel has a total of 181 total accommodations, including 24 villas, four townhomes and 33 residences, along with five restaurants and lounges, a superb spa, a fitness center and there heated outdoor pools.

A number of the spacious, modern rooms also come with a special perk: a private plunge pool, while even basic rooms have marble bathrooms, deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers and large outdoor sundecks.

The pools at the Four Seasons in Anguilla are one of the property’s standouts, thanks to an elevated infinity pool that has one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular views, adjacent to the hotel’s Sunset Lounge.

The infinity pool adjacent to the Sunset Lounge.

That’s joined by restaurants including Cobà, a seafood grill, the Half Shell Beach Bar and the Bamboo Bar & Grill, which has a Mediterranean culinary focus.

This has long been one of the Caribbean’s most architecturally stunning hotels, highlighted by its Kelly Wearstler interiors and a design by Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG).

If the company’s Nevis property is any indication, Four Seasons should bring a new level of service to one of the region’s toniest destinations.

The post Four Seasons Opens in Anguilla appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There’s a new place for holding your group meeting in the Caribbean: Nevis.

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis is offering groups the opportunity to combine privacy, scenery, service, and luxury amenities through its Exclusively Nevis resort buyout program.

Planners will have access to experienced Conferences Services Professional to help curate the resort’s options for an optimal meeting and incentives experience.

“Exclusively Nevis offers limitless customisations for a distinctive and standout incentive program on a paradise island,” said Director of Sales Jim Bishop. “Buyout groups enjoy the maximum flexibility, from completely branding the Resort and our amenities; having exclusive use of a pristine, half-mile long Caribbean beach for private activities and events; extending outdoor events to midnight or later; and enjoying many more benefits not possible when sharing the Resort with other guests. Throughout, our talented team will ensure the ultimate VIP experience for each of your guests.”

Groups can buy out the resort with as few as 150 of the resort’s 196 deluxe guestrooms for four-night and longer programs.

The resort also features 50 multi-bedroom, luxury villas, which groups can add in order to accommodate VIPs and create unique events in a different setting.

When in Nevis, meetings and incentives planners can take advantage of any location on the resort’s 350-acre property.

The half-mile stretch of Pinney’s Beach in front of the resort can be converted into a unique event venue for exclusive daytime activities as well as recognition dinners and late-night beach parties.

Additionally, Exclusively Nevis groups also can use more than 3,000 square feet of outdoor terrace as well as 5,000 square feet of indoor meetings space, which can be configured into five break outs.

Planners can choose from a wide range of services and amenities to make for a personalized and private experience, including welcoming greeters at the airport, to private speedboats that takes guests to the resort’s on-property pier, to custom-created culinary experiences that focus on individual preferences and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Visitors will also enjoy the resort’s 12,000 square foot spa, a golf course, tennis courts, and more.

The post This is Where to Hold a Meeting in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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