It’s Wednesday in New York and the snow from earlier this week is starting to give way to pools of water spotting the sidewalks. It seems the perfect day to daydream about sun and beach, to close my eyes and remember the feel of sand between my toes, the sound of palm trees swaying overhead and the taste of Caribbean flavors on my palate.
Back in November, I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Barcelo Hotels & Resorts Culinary Week at the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort in Punta Cana, which serves as a veritable celebration of Dominican flavors created by top tier chefs brought in from around the island and around the world. I’ve always joked that my second dream job (the first one being a National Geographic reporter) would be a food critic; and for the week I was in Punta Cana I lived out that fantasy. Culinary Week played out like a parade of dinners, cocktails, culinary demonstrations and innovative fare all set against the backdrop of one of the best beaches in the world. For those whose love of paradise can only be outmatched by their love of food, than consider this your guide to Culinary Week in the Dominican Republic.
What is Culinary Week?
Barcelo Hotels & Resorts Culinary Week offers a wide range of activities including high Dominican cuisine prepared by a select group of chefs; rum, chocolate and cigar tastings; Spanish wine and meat tastings; and live cooking and mixology demonstrations. The event takes place on the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort property and takes advantage of their 11 specialty restaurants to serve curated menus to guests.
What is Dominican cuisine?
The Dominican Republic was once a colony of Spain, which is reflected in its delicious cuisine that is a perfect mix of Caribbean flavors and Spanish taste. Seafood, meat, rice, beans, grains, plantains and yuca are just a few of the staples found in their classic Caribbean dishes. The most popular local dish on the island seems to be Sancocho-a thick, slow-cooked soup mixed with meat and root vegetables. The debate about who has the best Sancocho is a fierce one, as each person swears their family’s recipe is the best. Being originally from Colombia where we have our own version of Sancocho, I would dare to say that ours is better! One thing is for certain though-Sancocho is a family-style meal that brings communities together.
What to expect?
Culinary Week is the brain child of Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, whose hope it is to put Dominican cuisine on the map and turn the island’s culinary scene into an international attraction. Over the course of six days, Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort brings together top chefs to share their best interpretations of the local cuisine.
When headed to Culinary Week, expect a full schedule starting with chef-curated breakfasts each morning, midday cooking demonstrations, cocktail shows on the beach, happy hours and fine dinners served each night, followed by post-dinner entertainment of cigars and rum. Culinary Week is an absolute whirlwind, a veritable parade of food that leaves you deliriously satiated, sun-kissed and (let’s be honest) probably wishing you had packed a one-piece suit instead of that bikini!
To attend this year’s Culinary Week, keep an eye on the events page on Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort for upcoming dates. Have you been to the Dominican Republic? Share your favorite island memories in the comments section below!
