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A brand-new feature of this 13th edition of the Gourmet Festival, the Gastronomic Village will open its doors on Tuesday, November 10, starting at 7:00 p.m. on Rockefeller Quay in Gustavia. Conceived as a large-scale community celebration open to everyone, this outdoor event will bring together haute cuisine, local crafts, and the island’s festive atmosphere around eight exceptional themed booths.
At the heart of this gourmet market, guest chefs and local kitchen teams will join forces to offer signature bites at affordable prices. Visitors will be able to stroll among the booths shared by some of the territory’s top restaurants: Le Barthélemy paired with Fish Corner, Le Grain de Sel alongside Bagatelle, Le Fouquet’s teaming up with Le Nikki Beach, and Le Cheval Blanc joining forces with the Bar des Prés. Independent talents will also be spotlighted in the area dedicated to private chefs, featuring La Cuisine de Fred and Caribbean Tasty.
When it comes to refreshments and high-end mixology, the experience will unfold between the La Cave du Port Franc and AMC stands, the Armand de Brignac champagne lounge, and the large cocktail bar run by Enjoy St. Barth—the venue for the highly anticipated Best Bartender competition. This opening night promises to be the must-attend event of the week.
Best Bartender Competition
A flagship event for the bar industry, the Best Bartender of Saint Barth competition will take place on the evening of Tuesday, November 10, in the heart of the Gastronomic Village. Organized in partnership with Enjoy St. Barth and Tequila Código 1530, this competition will pit seasoned bartenders and mixologists from the island’s establishments against one another in live original creation challenges.
Judged by a discerning panel of experts and guest chefs, the contestants will need to demonstrate precision, speed, and boldness as they craft signature cocktails that showcase regional ingredients. This dynamic competition will celebrate the art of mixology and the exceptional expertise of the island’s nightlife and hospitality scene.
Food and Wine Pairings
Because a gastronomic experience is inseparable from the perfect pairing of a dish and a wine, the Gourmet Festival reserves a special place for sommelier expertise throughout the week. Throughout the festivities, sommeliers and cellar masters will lead exclusive food-and-wine pairing masterclasses as well as themed tasting workshops at partner venues.
These special events will allow both casual enthusiasts and connoisseurs to explore the subtleties of pairings between fine wines, exceptional champagnes, and the creations of guest chefs. Through these masterclasses and technical competitions highlighting the precision of wine service, the festival will shine a spotlight on the essential work of professionals in the cellar and the dining room.
Les Petites Toques
Beyond the gala dinners, the Gourmet Festival reaffirms its commitment to local youth through the organization of the Petites Toques competition. This fun and educational event offers young cooking enthusiasts on the island a special platform to showcase their creativity and share their love of flavors. Under the guidance and advice of the guest chefs for this 13th edition, the aspiring chefs will take on the challenge of creating and plating an original culinary dish. Their dishes will be tasted and evaluated by a jury that includes chefs Esteban Salazar, Amaury Bouhours, and Álvaro Clavijo, among others. More than just a competition, this friendly gathering aims to convey the values of precision and enjoyment inherent in the culinary arts, while inspiring future careers among the younger generation.
The guest chefs and their hosts
Christopher St-Barth - Claire Heitzler, a renowned and multi-award-winning pastry chef, including Gault&Millau’s Pastry Chef of the Year.
Le Cheval Blanc St Barth - David Toutain, chef at the eponymous Parisian restaurant, which has been awarded two Michelin stars.
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa - Jean-Philippe Blondet,
chef at the Alain Ducasse restaurant at the Dorchester Hotel in London, which has been awarded 3 Michelin stars.
L’Esprit - Nicolas Masse, chef at La Grand’Vigne at Les Sources de Caudalie and holder of two Michelin stars.
Nikki Beach - Amaury Bouhours, chef at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse Paris, awarded two Michelin stars.
Bar des Prés St-Barth - Cyril Lignac, an iconic figure in French gastronomy
Le Manapany - Thibault Sombardier, Michelin-starred chef at the restaurant Anne in Paris and founder of the Mensae, Sellae, and Mojju concepts.
Fouquet’s St-Barth - Esteban Salazar, a former standout contestant on Top Chef 2025, who now heads up Finka in Paris, a restaurant with French-Colombian influences.
Le Fish Corner - Tabata and Ludovic Mey, Michelin-starred chefs at the restaurant Ombellule in Lyon.
Grain de Sel - Álvaro Clavijo, chef at El Chato in Bogotá, voted the best restaurant in Latin America and ranked among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
La Cantina—Yoni Saada, known for his vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, notably at the Bagnard concept.
Bagatelle St. Barth—Pierre and Cristina Chomet of the Ambos and Tina restaurants, which combine French techniques with Thai and Iberian influences.
