‘Foodies’ driving tourism business

Bermuda “must have” a great food experience if it expects to attract foodies to the market.

Bill Hanbury, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, told the Bermuda Sun that the much-welcomed addition of celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson will help that.

He said: “For the global tourism market, food and the food experience — culinary experience — is fundamental to successful destinations. The foodies have become a driving force… to decide what destinations to visit. 

“It is fundamental to the market, it is fundamental to the product that we have a great food experience for our visitors.

Mr Hanbury said it was great news the renowned celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson was opening a signature restaurant at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in May 2015.

After appearing as a judge on the Food Network show Chopped, Chef Samuelsson competed in and won Chopped All Stars: Judges Remix. In 2014, he made his debut as a mentor on the second season of the American television series The Taste.

Mr Hanbury said this could only help elevate Bermuda’s quality of cuisine among foodies.

Jim Butterfield, owner of Butterfield & Vallis, added this would help Bermuda tourism with Chef Samuelsson’s highly regarded reputation.

“When you have a known chef, and in this case New York known and world-renown, but when he’s a signature chef in a hotel like the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, it’s only a good thing. Word gets out and standards get raised.”