For the delectation of gourmets

For five days, the taste buds and pupils were in raptures. For the 11th edition of the Saint-Barth Gourmet Festival, the eight chefs invited by the tourist board, like their predecessors, pulled out all the stops to surprise and delight the lucky guests who came to taste, with lips and eyes, the dishes of the Saint-Barth Gourmet Festival.to surprise and delight the lucky guests who came to taste, with their lips and eyes, the dishes devised and concocted in the kitchens of the host restaurants. A major event for the island, and one that proved to be a resounding success this year, as CTTSB president Alexandra Questel points out. We've had very good feedback," she says with satisfaction. In particular, the meetings between the guest chefs and the chefs who hosted them. Virtually all of them have already asked to return! What's more, all the restaurants were sold out. "In fact, unless you had booked a table several weeks in advance, or were a lucky buff, it was virtually impossible to get a reservation in one of the event's partner establishments.
So, whether you were looking for a quick bite to eat, or an opportunity to splurge, fans of fine dining were well catered for. What's more, the entertainment on offer alongside the dining evenings was equally appealing. Whether it was the Chef challenge, the Bartender contest or the petite toques competition, which broke a participation record, every stage of the festival was clearly a success. "But there's one area we'd like to improve," says Alexandra Questel, determined not to let Gourmet rest on its laurels. "The 'petites toques' are very nice, but we can also imagine other things," she says without elaborating. A remark which suggests that other events could be planned for 2025, with the aim of including more of the local population.
On the other hand, there is no question of extending the duration of the festival. Mainly for logistical reasons. But also because the guest chefs are luminaries, and their availability, even for a studious stay in Saint-Barthélemy, is limited. Be that as it may, the Gourmet Festival has once again fulfilled its mission. That of promoting the island through the organization of an event that advocates excellence.