St. Maarten and St. Martin to Compete Together at Taste of the Caribbean for First Time Since 2017

GREAT BAY--For the first time since 2017, St. Maarten and St. Martin will field a joint culinary team at the prestigious Taste of the Caribbean competition, bringing together talent from both sides of the island to compete against some of the region's leading chefs, bartenders and culinary professionals.

The event is scheduled for November 16 to 19, 2026, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle Resort in Barbados, with culinary competitions and the awards dinner scheduled for November 18. The island's participation marks its return to one of the Caribbean's major culinary events after a nine-year absence.

The announcement was made Wednesday, October 21, by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, which have joined forces to make the island's return possible.

Organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Taste of the Caribbean has been held since 1993 and provides a regional platform for culinary professionals to demonstrate their skills, exchange knowledge and promote the Caribbean's diverse culinary traditions. The competition returned in 2024 with a revised format following a multiyear interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The return of a St. Maarten and St. Martin team is the result of several years of planning, fundraising and cooperation between tourism stakeholders on both sides of the island. The annual St. Maarten Flavors culinary month played an important role in generating financial support to help cover the considerable costs associated with sending a delegation to the regional competition.

Working with Renata de Weever, who coached the island's successful 2017 team, the participating organizations developed a plan to reestablish a joint delegation. The initiative also received support from the Club du Tourisme, reinforcing cooperation between tourism and hospitality stakeholders on both sides of the island.

Aïda Weinum, Director of the Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, welcomed the opportunity to promote the island's culinary identity through a shared team.

"We are elated to work together to spread the word about the 'Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,'" Weinum said.

The competition will coincide with the Festival de la Gastronomie on French St. Martin, giving the island two major opportunities during November to highlight its culinary sector, local talent and reputation as a Caribbean dining destination.

Preparations for the competition began Tuesday, October 20, under the leadership of De Weever, who has returned as coach. Over the coming weeks, team members will participate in intensive training sessions and practical exercises designed to prepare them for the demands of the competition.

May-ling Chun of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau said the return represents an opportunity to showcase the island's culinary talent while encouraging younger professionals to pursue careers in the industry.

"We are proud to see St Maarten / St. Martin return to Taste of the Caribbean as one team, celebrating the flavors, talent and shared passion of our island. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our culinary heritage and inspire the next generation of chefs and bartenders," Chun said.

The island's previous team in 2017 included Captain Dino Jagtiani, chefs Pieter Holstein, Ronald Estephane and David Cudicio, junior chefs Suzy Adoptie and Mrinal Wadhwa, and team member Justin Assendelft.

Their participation established a foundation on which organizers hope to build as a new generation of culinary professionals prepares to represent the island.

De Weever, drawing on her experience with the 2017 delegation, encouraged the new team members to remain focused on their culinary abilities rather than becoming overwhelmed by the intensity of the competition or the attention surrounding their participation.

"In the end, it’s about sticking to your core experience and the recipes you believe in," De Weever advised.

Her message to the participants emphasized that success would depend on their skills, confidence and ability to produce dishes that reflect their experience and culinary strengths.

Organizers also acknowledged the support of Winair, whose contribution will help facilitate the team's travel to Barbados for the competition.

The full roster of the 2026 St. Maarten and St. Martin team has not yet been announced and is expected to be made public shortly.

In the meantime, members of the public interested in sampling the team's culinary creations during the preparation period are invited to register their interest by contacting events@shta.com.

The return to Taste of the Caribbean also represents another example of cooperation between the Dutch and French sides of the island in promoting St. Maarten and St. Martin as a single culinary destination. Beyond the competition itself, organizers hope the initiative will provide greater regional exposure for local culinary professionals and inspire future participation in international culinary events.

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