The world, as we know, is rather a small place these days.
And in these Twitter times it’s easier than ever to get a glimpse of what people are thinking across the globe. Be it Brazil, Bangor or British Columbia, some of those clued-in chaps and chapesses have been starting to tweet frantically about the jewel in Cayman’s culinary crown – the Cayman Cookout 2012, hosted by Eric Ripert.
Apparently, chefs are people too – such luminaries as Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres, Richard Blais and others have been buzzing online for the past month about the event, which began on Thursday, 12 January and takes place for the following three days.
“Old favourites are still fan favourites,” says our good mate Melissa Ladley, communications director at hosts Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
“Anthony Bourdain’s lunch and his Good vs. Evil talk with Eric Ripert were early sell outs. The best opportunity for guests to still see these two friends in motion is when they man the grill at the Tiki Beach BBQ on Friday night.” Indeed, that Barefoot Beach BBQ epitomises what makes Cookout different from other food and wine festivals. The brilliant feet-in-sand event features Ripert, Bourdain and Andres as chefs, local cultural elements and a whole bunch of fun. It’s an opportunity to get up close and personal with the chefs in a laid-back situation, as the banter flies back and forth and the Cayman sun sets over Tiki Beach. That one’s at 7pm and expect Chateau Ste Michelle and Patron Popsicles as the chefs man the grill with delicious eats in mind.
Rogalski returns
Of course there are many magnificent events over the course of the weekend. For example, Paul Rogalski returns to the Cayman Islands to bring his magnificent Canadian flavour back to the country where he cut his teeth. The acclaimed chef worked at the Hyatt alongside Ron Jacobson, with whom he will be cooking at Abacus as part of Camana Bay’s Ultimate Dinner Party on Saturday night. Indeed, Rogalski’s Calgary restaurant, Rouge, has been held as one of the best restaurants in the world and Paul is becoming quite the star. The Ultimate Dinner Party also features events at Ortanique and Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink plus cocktails, hors d’ouevres, Delectable Desserts served under the stars with François Payard & Chris Hanmer, the winner of Top Chef: Just Desserts 2 and entertainment at Cayman’s newest town. The festivities start at 6pm with a book signing from Bourdain and Michael Schwartz. Paul also demonstrates how Canada meets Cayman at 10am on Friday and cooks one of the courses at the closing gala.
“Chef Ron is looking forward to joining his culinary experience with celebrity chef Paul Rogalski,” says Markus Mueri of Abacus, “Bringing a unique twist to a Canadian and Caribbean dining experience. New flavour combinations will emerge and tickle your taste buds matched with amazing wines. A night full of surprises!”
Laurent Gras is another fabulous addition to the bill this year and testament to his total class is that he has just left the fabulous L20 restaurant in Chicago after helping it attain three Michelin Stars. Now back in New York with an exciting new restaurant planned, his classic French fine dining (he worked with Ducasse) will be showcased with a 100 per cent local-ingredient demo on the beach on Friday, 13 January at 3.30pm then a lunch at Periwinkle from 11.30am on Saturday. Oh and if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a competitive cyclist. Awesome dude, awesome chef. As for Eric Ripert – whose Le Bernardin restaurant in New York also has three Michelin stars – he’s going to be round and about here, there and everywhere but we love the look of Cayman Avec Eric: Sunset Cocktails and Ceviche on Seven Mile Beach Oasis Cabanas on Saturday at 4.45pm. See why Eric chose to open his first restaurant outside of New York in Cayman as he shares his favourite hour of the day: sunset on Seven Mile Beach. With his feet in the water, a cocktail in hand and his impossibly fresh ceviche which showcases the relationship Blue has with local fishermen, he’ll have you hooked on island living before the sunset’s fabled green flash. In many ways it’s the quintessential Cookout event.
Cayman Cook-off
And then, on Sunday, 15 January there’s the always-wonderful Cayman Cook-off Series and Sunday Brunch final, this year contested between Maureen Cubbon and Eric St.-Cyr who came through a series of heats at Bon Vivant. These non-professional but very talented local chefs will be going head to head to impress a panel of judges drawn from the high-level chefs in attendance. Who will come out on top? One thing’s for sure – it’s going to be close and it’s going to be delicious.
There’s not room here in Weekender to outline all the events taking place but what we can say is that Cayman truly is blessed with events such as this, which draw together international talent whilst giving a great forum for Cayman’s own epicurean efforts. “Cookout is incredibly hard work for Cayman’s culinary community,” says Melissa, “But it certainly validates all of its accomplishments. For example, we have a long list of international media attending Cookout who are clamouring to visit The Brasserie as its focus on sustainability and reputation for ingenuity has reached far beyond Cayman’s shores.
“For The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Cayman Cookout epitomizes and celebrates Cayman’s passion for food and wine and the great dining options that are available to our guests year around. And of course Cookout shines an international spotlight on our signature restaurant Blue and the enduring partnership between The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Eric Ripert.”
For the first time, there will be two pavilions on Seven Mile Beach. Look out, too for Ambuyah Ebanks, former Miss Cayman and best of all the brilliant aprons with embroidered quote and signature from Eric Ripert. Proceeds from sales of that go to Meals on Wheels. Huzzah!
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