For the third consecutive year, the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI) brought the ‘Grown in Cayman’ event to the internationally acclaimed Cayman Cookout, which took place 14–18 Jan. 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Now firmly established as a signature component of Cayman Cookout, Grown in Cayman reflects the Cayman Islands Government’s strategic commitment to strengthening local agriculture, supporting farmers and agroproducers, and advancing the goals of the Cayman Islands Nutrition and Food Security Policy.
With the Cayman Islands currently importing approximately 90 percent of its food, the Grown in Cayman initiative continues to play a critical role in promoting local production, encouraging the purchase of Cayman grown food and building meaningful connections between farmers, chefs, and the hospitality and tourism sector – a cornerstone of the national economy.
Cayman Cookout is a multi-day international culinary festival that brings together world-renowned chefs, hospitality leaders, media and visitors through a series of curated tastings, demonstrations, dinners, and immersive food experiences. Throughout the Cookout, locally grown produce, proteins, eggs and agro processed products will be prominently featured across culinary experiences led by both local and international chefs.
In addition to being integrated across the full Cookout programme, Grown in Cayman was highlighted through a dedicated Grown in Cayman signature event, bringing together local farmers, agro-producers, chefs, and partners to celebrate Caymanian agriculture, innovation, and flavour.
Through direct engagement between farmers and chefs, the initiative creates tangible market opportunities while placing Caymanian agriculture firmly on a global stage. More than 20 Caymanian farmers and agro producers participated this year, supplying a diverse range of locally grown and produced ingredients that reflect the Cayman Islands’ unique agricultural identity.
Johany ‘Jay’ Ebanks, Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure, said, “Grown in Cayman demonstrates our commitment to strengthening local agriculture and supporting Caymanian farmers and agro-producers. By embedding local ingredients throughout Cayman Cookout and delivering a dedicated Grown in Cayman event, we are advancing food security while showcasing the quality and potential of Cayman-grown products to the world.”
Chief Officer for MPLAHI Eric Bush said, “This initiative is about delivery and long-term impact. Grown in Cayman strengthens connections between agriculture and the hospitality sector, reduces reliance on imports, and creates real commercial opportunities for local producers. Cayman Cookout provides a powerful platform to demonstrate that progress in action.”
The key objectives of Grown in Cayman at Cayman Cookout 2026 included:
- Strengthening food security: supporting reduced reliance on imports through increased visibility, demand, and use of locally grown food
- Empowering local farmers and agro-producers: creating direct pathways to the hospitality and tourism market and encouraging long-term commercial partnerships
- Promoting Cayman-grown excellence: showcasing the quality, freshness and diversity of Caymanian agricultural and agro-processed products to local and international audiences
The ministry, working closely with the Department of Agriculture, continues to support local farmers and agro producers through coordinated procurement, exposure and relationship-building opportunities that extend well beyond the Cayman Cookout event itself.
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