Food Festival returns with new events

The City of Hamilton’s Food Festival is back next month and it promises to be bigger and better.

The event will be held from March 17 to 22 with the chef competition, wine tasting, a street festival and more.

Last year, Suresh Amarathunga, chef de cuisine of Barracuda Grill, won the chef competition with his tasty canapés.

Speaking on the experience, Amarathunga said: “It was pretty awesome because it’s a fantastic opportunity for being a chef to come out of the kitchen and share the knowledge with the audience.

“It was wonderful.”

He said his boss, Dere Myers, chef for the Island Restaurant Group, entered him into the competition without his knowledge, along with chefs from the company’s other restaurants.

Chef Zaid Khan from Hog Penny was the runner up.

“I have been doing this for a long time but it was a little challenging.

“I went in with a plan. I would do it again.

“Hopefully this carries on each year.”

Amarathunga thanked Myers for mentoring him and said he is one the best chefs on the island. He also thanked IRG boss Phil Barnett for giving him the opportunity to cook in Bermuda.

Danilee Trott, event project manager for the City of Hamilton, said the competition will be held in the Bermuda Gas Showroom on Serpentine Road again this year.

“The first rounds will be on March 18 and 19 with the two semi-finalists battling it out on the 20th for the title of Best Chef Canapé 2014.”

Asked about the judges, Ms Trott said they haven’t been named as yet but they will be finalized shortly.

Encouraging the community to attend the event, she said: “It is an exciting and eclectic social event for adults who love to try a little something different.

“The chefs are very enthusiastic and entertaining to watch and, of course, the food sampling is a treat.”

Gosling’s will be on site with signature cocktails each night as well as wine pairings to complement the meat.

“Butterfield and Vallis select the ingredients, which vary from night to night, which keep things interesting.

“This year we have added in pastry displays for an additional creative element at the competitions.”

Ms Trott said there will be two additional events this year.

“On Monday the 17th, International Imports —The Chef Shop — will be hosting lunch-time events, and on Friday, March 21, Gosling’s will host a Wine Tasting at the Cellar.

“We will provide more information on both events in the next few weeks.”

As far as the food festival, it will be held in Victoria Park this year and restaurants in the City of Hamilton are expected to participate.

Ms Trott promised to divulge further information as the date approaches.