The Gastronomy Festival returns for its sixth edition, with a focus on coconuts
“Six years ago, we made a choice: to make gastronomy much more than just an event—a true tool for promoting, developing, and raising the profile of our destination,” Valérie Damaseau emphasized in her opening remarks.
On Friday, October 2, the Maison Mère restaurant hosted the presentation of the program for the sixth edition of the Gastronomy Festival. Surrounded by their teams, the restaurant’s president, Valérie Damaseau, and its director, Aïda Weinum, unveiled the highlights of this now-unmissable event, which will take place from November 11 to 22. Their ambition remains the same: to make Saint Martin a culinary ambassador for the Caribbean. For the 2026 edition, the coconut will take center stage.
Beyond the major events that make the festival a success, one of the goals of this edition is to further highlight the territory’s restaurants. The “Festival Tables” will invite residents and visitors alike to step inside participating restaurants, with a different neighborhood featured each evening.
About 15 chefs
Many renowned chefs will participate in this year’s event. Jimmy Bibrac, chef-owner of Ô Z’Épices in Guadeloupe, Chef of the Year for the Antilles and French Guiana, and winner of the Grand Concours des Régions, will serve as the festival’s patron. Joining him, two chefs from Saint Martin will represent the territory as ambassadors: Amanda Whit and François Baly.
Other notable figures will enrich this year’s event, such as Arthur Sutley, president of the mixology jury, and Kevin Bludso, who will preside over the barbecue competition. In total, about fifteen international chefs will be making the trip to Saint Martin.
Twelve days of activities
The festival will kick off on November 8 with the traditional “Taste of Sunrise,” the opening brunch. The official launch, called “One Night Only,” will take place on November 10 at 6 p.m. on Grand-Case Boulevard, during a free event open to everyone.
The program will continue with Wine & Cheese Pairing evenings scheduled for November 12, 18, and 19, as well as a Food & Cocktail Pairing event on November 19 at Anse Marcel Beach.
Food enthusiasts can also participate in numerous workshops: cooking classes for adults and children from November 13 to 15, wine-tasting workshops on November 14, barista workshops on November 15, and “Sip and Cook” sessions on November 13, 14, and 15.
The charity event will take place on November 19 at Daniella Jeffry High School.
The Village of Gastronomy Keeps Its Recipe
Set up on the Marigot waterfront on November 13 and 14, the Village de la Gastronomie will bring together some 30 exhibitors, chefs, and artisans for tastings, cooking demonstrations, activities, and concerts.
The concept remains the same: offering small portions so that visitors can move from one booth to another and discover as many specialties as possible.
Admission will be 5 euros per day, and the village will be open from noon to midnight. The cashless payment system will also be in place again. Visitors can load their cards in advance of the event and request a refund of any remaining balance up to one month after the festival for top-ups made by credit card.
Competitions are becoming more diverse
As is the case every year, the competitions will play a major role in the program.
The barbecue competition, held on Sunday, November 15, on Rue de la République, is expanding this year with the addition of a Johnny Cake contest. The food truck competitions will also be back, while a brand-new event will make its debut: a pizza competition.
The restaurant competitions will take place on November 16 and 17, followed by the private chef competition on November 17 and 18. Friday, November 20, will be dedicated to the grand finals, including those honoring the best restaurants and mixology.
Young people will also be in the spotlight with the high school students’ competition, held on November 15 at the Daniella Jeffry vocational high school. Six seniors in the hospitality and restaurant management program will compete in a format inspired by “Top Chef,” under the watchful eye of a jury composed of local and international chefs.
A Fence with a New Twist
The closing night will take place on Saturday, November 21, at Loterie Farm. It will showcase Saint Martin and Caribbean cuisine, featuring chefs from neighboring islands.
The festival will conclude on November 22 at Anse Marcel Beach with a brand-new event called “Sip to Sunset”: a sunset wine tasting hosted by a sommelier.
