BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP WITH TRAVEL + LEISURE, FOOD & WINE
NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2010

In partnership with Travel + Leisure, FOOD & WINE, Departures and Executive Travel magazines, the Barbados Tourism Authority today unveils November 19B22, 2010 as the dates for its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival. The four-day epicurean festival will feature culinary masters Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love who will travel to the Caribbean island of Barbados to provide first-hand cooking demonstrations and sessions for locals and visitors alike. Full festival details and travel packages to be announced in early June.

The culinary capital of the Caribbean and the only Caribbean island to be Zagat-rated, Barbados provides an ideal epicurean stop for the coveted Food & Wine festival which will be hosted by Travel + Leisure magazine’s Features Editor Niloufar Motamed and will have wine seminars curated by Ray Isle, FOOD & WINE wine editor and wine expert Anthony Giglio. In addition, celebrity chef and head judge on Bravo’s hit reality cooking series “Top Chef” Tom Colicchio will be joined by culinary superstars Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love, as well as local Barbadian culinary talent bringing their collective expertise to the masses through chef demonstrations, tasting events and interactive sessions.

“The Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival provides an ideal platform to showcase our island’s gastronomic excellence,” said David M. Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “We are honored to partner with American Express Publishing and to welcome some of the industry’s leading chefs and wine experts to our beautiful island to participate in this world-class culinary event.”

The eastern-most of the Caribbean islands, and situated outside the traditional hurricane belt, Barbados was formed by the collision of the Atlantic crystal and Caribbean
plates, which created a volcanic eruption to create this country of contrasts; from serene Caribbean waters and coral beaches for sunbathers and swimmers to an Atlantic coastline ideal for surfers and sailors. A truly authentic Caribbean destination, mixing European sophistication and culture with nature and heritage sites, culinary excellence, and romance, offering small and affordable guest houses, luxurious villas, all-inclusive resorts, family-friendly hotels, and boutique escapes – there is definitely something for everyone in Barbados.

BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITY PRESS CONFERENCE FOR THIRD ANNUAL FOOD, RUM & WINE FESTIVAL I BARBADOS, (August 16 2012)

The Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival 2012 was officially launched today, August 16 at the Mount Gay Visitor Centre. President & CEO at the Barbados Tourism N Authority, David M. Rice (second from right), confirmed that at present, a national sweepstakes and direct mail campaign is running across the US as a lead up to the 2012 Festival. He also highlighted that the Food & Wine and Rum Festival mobile app will be up and running for the November Festival.

This year’s event will take place from November 16 through 19, and will be headlined by chef Marcus Samuelsson, who will head the delegation of international talent
which also includes Food Network regulars Anne Burrell and Aaron McCargo Jr. Also in for the first time for the event are chef Stephanie Izard and wine expert Joshua A Wesson, who will join returning chefs Mark McEwan of Canada and Barbadian-born Paul Yellin, now based in New York. The local contingent for the 2012 Festival includes: Romeo Moscardini of Spago Restaurant & Bar; Mark DeGruchy of Café Luna; Glen Bent of Cariba Restaurant; Jemma Oneal of Café Sol Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar; Carsten Flindt of Patisserie & Bistro Flindt; Dan Brinckmann, Temptations Bakery; and, Barry Taylor, Naru Restaurant & Lounge.

TODAY SHOW LIVE FROM BARBADOS Y ST. JAMES, BARBADOS (November, 2011)

After spending some time in the Swiss Alps, Lauer ended his week with a beach party in Barbados marking the end of his almost 30,000 mile journey across four continents in the space of five days. For season 10, Lauer traveled to Namibia on Monday, went to Madrid on Tuesday, landed in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia on Wednesday, and reported from the Swiss Alps on Thursday and wrapped up his voyage
on the shores of Barbados this morning.

While on the island, local calypsonian the Mighty Gabby serenaded Lauer and the more than 5 million strong viewers at home with a song he wrote specifically for the show. In addition, a full entourage of local characters treated Lauer, his crew and viewers to a traditional Barbadian Dooflicky, while soca queen Alison Hinds showed Lauer a few moves in wukking up.

In addition to Lauer, Travel + Leisure Features Director Nilou Motamed was also featured on the programmed, where she promoted the upcoming Barbados Food & Wine and Rum festival, along with highlighting some of her favorite things on the island. Celebrity chef and Food Network regular, Giada De Laurentiis (pictured in orange), also made the trip for the show, and she helped prepare cou cou and flying fish while on set at Sandy Lane hotel.

TODAY show has an audience of 5.3 Million. Morning program provides the latest in international and domestic news, weather reports and interview with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, business, media, entertainment and sports.