The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival is Back!

The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival will return for its third iteration at Baha Mar in Nassau from 22 to 27 October 2024. Patrons can expect an impressive roster of activities, including unique master classes, live performances, celebrity chef demos, and the second annual FUZE Art Expo.

What you should know about the FUZE Art Fair

FUZE is a first-of-its-kind regional art fair that represents a unique opportunity for art lovers to explore the vibrancy of the Caribbean visual art communities. Several events will occur from 23 to 27 October 2024, including art fairs, an artist meet-and-greet, sip-and-paint events, art workshops, and a film screening.

Special guests

Some special guests at this year’s festival include John Cox, Marcus Samuelsson, Daniel Boulud, Dario Cecchini, Kentaro “Katsuya” Uechi, Carla Hall, Amanda Freitag, Scott Conant, and Geoffrey Zakarian.

Karl Franz Williams, Anastarcia Palacious, Noah Rothbaum, Maneet Chauhan, and Alfredo Villanueva are other special guests. Simeon Hall Jr., Amanda McCrossin, Ken Fredrickson, Fernando Beteta, and Marv “Mr Mix” will also be at the festival.

What’s new at this year’s festival?

This year, patrons will have access to several new festival events such as a Tale of Two Curries with first-time festival attendees Maneet Chauhan and Simeon Hall Jr., Cooking with Rum: Chef Simeon's Beach BBQ featuring Karl "Franz" Williams, Flamingos & Flocktails, The Art of Brunch with Carla Hall, Amanda Freitag and Amanda McCrossin; and a Pizza Masterclass & Signature Chef Hosted Lunch with Scott Conant.

Festival Calendar of Events

Tuesday 22 October 2024

The highly anticipated Daniel Boulud’s Truffle Dinner occurs at Café Boulud The Bahamas, at 7pm.

Wednesday 23 October 2024

• FUZE Art Fair (Day 1) starts at 11am at the Convention Centre. The event includes artist talks, art demos, and delicious Caribbean cuisine.
• At 7pm, Chef Marcus Samuelsson takes you on a culinary journey of exotic Caribbean ingredients and dishes at Marcus Up Top for the Signature Chef Hosted Dinner.
• The ECCHO Art Gallery hosts an Artist Meet and Greet at 8 pm, where you can meet the talented artists featured at this year’s exciting FUZE Caribbean Art Fair.

Thursday 24 October 2024

• FUZE Art Fair (Day 2) is back at the Convention Centre from 11am – 7pm.
• The Baha Mar Young Chef Competition begins at 11am at The Kitchen.
• Head to The Library at Rosewood Baha Mar for Afternoon Tea at noon.
• Grab the opportunity to collaborate with local artists and create authentic new pieces at the Straw Craft Workshop in the New Providence Ballroom at 4pm.
• JetBlue Cardholders can join premier spirits expert Noah Rothbaum at The Whiskey Exchange, which takes place at the T2 Cigar Lounge for an intimate happy hour at 5pm.
• The Jazz Bar comes alive at 7pm with Happy Hour featuring The Essence Band, so get your drink order ready and prepare to dance the night away.

Friday 25 October 2024

• Day 3 of the FUZE Art Fair begins at 11am inside the Convention Centre.
• The Botanical Leaf Workshop is at 2pm inside the New Providence Ballroom.
• The Catamaran Sunset Cruise is another event that JetBlue Cardholders can enjoy. Make your way near the Pier by 5pm.
• The Collage Workshop with Shacqeel Coleby promises to be a fun-filled evening of creating beautiful art pieces while sipping wine. The event starts at 5 pm in the New Providence Ballroom.
• At 7 pm, the weekend shifts into high gear with the Beach Party at the Baha Bay Lagoon featuring legendary performer Sir Rod Stewart.
• You can keep the party going at Marcus After Dark, the official after-party hosted by Marcus Samuelsson at Marcus Gardens. The event begins at 11pm.

Saturday 26 October 2024

• The FUZE Art Fair (all day).
• Set an intention and exhale at Flamingoes and Flocktails at Rosewood Gardens. This signature Flamingo Yoga & Restorative Sparkling Soiree begins at 11am.
• Prepare to take your cooking skills to the next level at the Masterclass with Chef Amanda Freitag. Make your way to The Kitchen by 11am.
• Enjoy a fun morning by joining landscape and abstract painter John Paul Saddleton for Sip N Paint at the New Providence Ballroom at 11am.
• Chef Alfredo Villanueva will delight your tastebuds at the Tacos & Tequila Mexican Brunch. The event begins at 11am at the Costa Restaurant.
• Spend the early afternoon at Coconuts & Cocktails with Marcus Samuelsson, Scott Conant, and Marv “Mr.Mix.” This event features festive cocktails, live music, and island-inspired cuisine. The fun starts at 11 am at Marcus Gardens.
• Master Butcher Dario Cecchini returns to the Butcher’s Table at 1pm at Carna Restaurant.
• Treat yourself to a special local film screening at the ECCHO Art Gallery at 7pm. Wine is included at the Classics & Cocktails Film Screening.

Note: Various Signature chef-hosted dinners take place at 7pm. Master Butcher Dario Cecchini and acclaimed sommelier Amanda McCrossin will be at Carna Restaurant. World-renowned Chef Kentaro “Katsuya” Uechi will be at Katsuya. Chefs Maneet Chauhan & Simeon Hall Jr. will be at Café Boulud. You can Join chefs Amanda Freitag and Marcus Samuelsson at Marcus Up Top. Chefs Scott Conant and Geoffrey Zakarian will be at F'ilia.

To view Sunday’s (27 October 2024) events and learn more about the festival, please visit https://festival.bahamar.com/ and click on the calendar.

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Sources: Festival Baha Mar, Forbes, and Experience Baha Mar (IG).