The World Food Travel Association (WFTA) has chosen Grenada to be the world’s first ‘Culinary Capital’, along with its sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
As tourism begins to emerge from the shutdown caused by the Covid pandemic, the WFTA has introduced Culinary Capitals as part of a recovery strategy for the industry. The initiative aims to shine a light on the culinary cultures of the world.
Acting CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) Kirl Grant-Hoschtialek said in a statement:
“The Culinary Capitals destination accreditation by the World Food Travel Association is a huge achievement for Grenada. We are known around the world as the Spice Island of the Caribbean, so it is fitting that we are the first Caribbean island to earn this designation. This will undoubtedly attract discerning travellers who want to explore the link between food and culture, and who want to ensure that every dish they have on their vacation tastes amazing!”
Grenada is famed for the great array of spices that are incorporated in its cuisine and that lend a distinctive intensity to its national food profile. Street foods, beachside eateries and fine dining alike boast carefully selected flavours that are infused into every meal to create the signature Grenadian taste.
Among the reasons for putting Grenada at the top of the list of countries with an impressive food profile, we can mention the national dish of oil down (a one-pot fish or meat stew simmered in coconut milk with breadfruit and taro), artisan chocolate, a variety of rum recipes and of course those fragrant spices. Increasingly, the health benefits of Grenada’s spices are being recognised, so they find their way into wellness and aromatherapy treatments as well as the cooking pot.
The GTA is seeking to capitalise on the Culinary Capital accolade by promoting the island as a destination for food connoisseurs and expanding food tourism more generally.
