By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Caribbean’s food festival circuit has only been growing in recent years, but one festival has regularly drawn the biggest names: the Cayman Islands’ Cayman Cookout, now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

This year’s festival, which takes place Jan, 10-14, 2018, will be headlined as in years past by superstar chefs Eric Ripert, Anthony Bourdain and Jose Andres.

The 2018 Cookout, which will feature more than 40 scheduled events, will also draw celebrity chefs including Emeril Lagasse, Alfred Portale, Daniel Boulud, Dominique Crenn, Michael Mina, Rick Bayless, Robert Irvine and Sean Brock, who will all host events throughout the weekend.

Events include everything from a paella session with Andres to the staple event at Cayman Cookout: The Adventures of Eric & Tony, which takes guests on a culinary “globe-spanning journey” with Ripert and Bourdain.

It concludes with the Grand Finale Evening with Eric Ripert and the chefs of Cayman Cookout, featuring a a 10-course dinner hosted by Ripert and the attending chefs.

The event is held at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which is home to Ripert’s Blue by Eric Ripert eatery.

For more information on attending, visit the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.

The post Eric Ripert, Anthony Bourdain to Headline Cayman Cookout appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Atlantis Paradise Island resort has a new president.

The Bahamas’ flagship resort has named Audrey Oswell as its new president and managing director, the property announced.

Oswell had been serving as the resort’s Chief Operating Officer since 2016, having previously held the title of chief gaming officer at Atlantis from 2011 to 2013.

She succeeds Howard Karawan in the role.

“We are extremely pleased that Audrey will elevate her leadership role at the resort, especially as she was an integral part of the team that was involved in creating the new vision and direction of Atlantis,” said Andrea Balkan, managing partner of Brookfield Asset Management, which owns the resort. “Audrey is not only deeply experienced in the resort and casino space, but she brings a level of compassion and knowledge to this role. We look forward to sharing the ongoing success of Atlantis across the highest levels of guest service, experience and industry-leading innovation.”

Atlantis has been embarking on a major new upgrade and rebranding in the last year.

The post Atlantis Paradise Island Names New President appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Jamaican destination of Montego Bay saw big growth in the first half of 2017, according to the latest data from travel giant Expedia.

Montego Bay saw nearly 20 percent growth in the first half, compared to the first six months of 2016, on Expedia’s travel platforms.

The growth was announced in the context of Jamaica’s JAPEX tourism conference, held in Montego Bay this week.

The destination of Negril also saw 15 percent growth in the same period, according to the company.

The United States remained the largest feeder market for Jamaica, along with Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Brazil, too, saw major growth, with an increase in demand of almost 240 percent.

The post Expedia: Montego Bay Seeing Big Growth appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Alexander Britell

It isn’t always easy finding a great Cuban cigar in the Caribbean.

That’s why you’re always best off heading for an official Habanos Point or Casa del Habano, those officially licensed by Habanos.

But in Montego Bay, Jamaica, there’s one major cigar destination: the Rose Hall Cigar Club, set in the heart of the terrific Shoppes at Rose Hall luxury mall.

It’s got a terrific selection of both popular and rare cigars, all kept in exquisite condition, from favored Cohibas to special aged editions.

But like any cigar shop, it’s all about the people, and here manager Manu Mansharamani gives clients thorough, expert advice on choosing the proper smoke.

It doesn’t hurt that the Rose Hall Cigar Club also just might be Montego Bay’s best destination for rum, with a simply remarkable collection of rums, from Blackwell to hard-to-find Havana Club expressions.

Plainly, the Rose Hall Cigar Club is the best place to buy cigars in Montego Bay, and among the best in the Caribbean.

The post The Best Cigar Shop in Montego Bay appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Caribbean’s newest real estate development is also its greenest.

The SOLARA residential community has launched construction in Grand Cayman as one of the most innovative sustainable developments in the region.

NCB Group’s SOLARA is a mix of 26 three-story, three-bedroom luxury townhomes set in Grand Cayman’s Crystal Harbour area.

Each residence generates electricity with solar panels, with geothermal cooling. And that’s just the beginning: they’ll be built using energy-efficient, insulated concrete forms, double glazed windows, LED lighting and energy-efficient apliances.

“As developers, NCB Group is committed to building with Cayman’s Future in Mind,” says Matthew Wight, NCB’s Managing Director. “More and more homeowners are looking to integrate renewable energy sources into the construction of their homes and we’re happy to  provide these sustainable homes within our innovative communities.”

Each home will also be provisioned for electric car chargers.

Residents will have access to a clubhouse with a pool, a gym and a canalfront promenade, along with a park.

SOLARA was designed by Italian architect Stefano Napolitani of Waves Project, in conjunction with local architects, Michael Meghoo of MJM Designs .

The Cayman Islands project will complete its first phase in the summer of 2018, with the entire project slated for completion in the summer of 2019.

The post Grand Cayman’s New Green Real Estate appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico