The Cayman Islands Agricultural Society will be hosting the Coconut Festival on the morning of Saturday, 29 September in conjunction with Market at the Grounds in Lower Valley in Grand Cayman.
Labelled a traditional Caymanian day, the event will focus on all things coconut. There will be sampling of traditional Cayman coconut dinners such as conch stew, beans with pie, plus coconut ice cream, coconut candy, drops, tarts and of course, coconut water.
Local chefs taking part in this event include Alvin McLaughlin, Eulene McLaughlin, Ivy Thomas and Zelma Lee Ebanks.
Cayman Islands Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said she was pleased to see the society highlighting traditional foods and their various uses.
“Most people, especially older folks, are aware of the many benefits of coconuts, especially the water, which is great for replacing electrolytes. Coconut oil is also a favourite, for good reason. It adds a distinct flavour to cooking and is useful for beauty treatments including hair and skin care, as well as to fight infection,” Ms O’Connor-Connolly said. “Young people need to be re-acquainted with some of our traditional foods and events such as Coconut Festival will brings these traditions back to the forefront.”
Kerry Forbes, an agricultural society representative and one of the event’s organisers, said, “I encourage everyone to come out and experience this event, which will be an amazing showcase of the many creative ways that coconut can be enjoyed. Not only will there be delightful samples, but persons can avail themselves of the many educational materials that will be on hand.”
The Health Services Authority will also be on hand to provide information of the health benefits of coconut and the Information Commissioner’s Office will be on hand to provide the public information about the government agency.
The Coconut Festival is free to the public and is scheduled to run from 9am to noon.
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