In 2009, Barbados launched its first ever food and rum festival.

A decade later and that event has grown into one of the most highly anticipated food festivals in the region and earned the island the reputation of being ‘the culinary capital of the Caribbean’.

This year’s Food and Rum Festival is likely to raise the bar again as hundreds of people are set to have their taste buds tantalised by some of the best chefs and mixologists in Barbados, and from around the world.

In the lead up to the festival itself, which is scheduled for 24-27 October, there have been several free pop ups.

These tasters, which have been taking place all around the island since 31 August, have given tourists and locals a glimpse into what they can expect from the main event.

An amateur baking competition called ‘Whipped’ was also held to see who could create a winning cake design for the event’s 10th birthday. The winner will bring their design to life, with the help of a professional chef, and have it featured at the finale on Sunday 27 October.

The main festival officially begins on Thursday 24 October from 6pm at the famous open-air Oistins fish-fry. Some of the top chefs slated to take part including Damian Leach, Henderson Butcher, Jamal Whittaker and British chef Tom Aiken will be in action, cooking exquisite dishes under the stars.

On Friday 25 October some of Barbados’ top hotels and restaurants including Colony Club, Tamarind Hotel, Lone Star restaurant and Turtle Beach Resort, will be part of a ‘gourmet safari’. This event provides the finest food and drink for every budget with a specially chosen menu.

A new edition to the festival, the Food Truck Mash-Up, will be held on Saturday 26 October at Pelican Centre in Bridgetown. This evening will highlight Barbados’ long tradition of food trucks which are known for serving some of the best tasting dishes on the island.

The festival comes to a fitting end on Sunday 27 October with ‘An Evening of Elegance’ at the Prime Minister’s official residence Illaro Court. This all-inclusive night will feature food stations offering hors d’oeuvres along with hand-crafted rum cocktails.

The Barbados Food and Rum Festival has developed a reputation for culinary excellence, evolution and excitement.

Go along to one of the planned events and see why this is one of the premier experiences on the island.

For more information visit the official website.