Anguilla launches Festival Del Mer

They take their food very seriously on the island of Anguilla. Lauded as one of the Caribbean’s hot culinary destinations, the chic island is not only acclaimed for its 5 star cuisine found island wide, but for its finger licking local fare cooked up at roadside stalls, beachside eateries and backyard fetes.

It is the true flavour of this laid-back island that will be celebrated when the island holds its first Festival Del Mar on Easter Weekend, March 22 - 23, 2008.

The community based tourism festival will be ALL about food and the island’s fishing industry. Held at Island Harbour, Anguilla’s primary fishing village, the weekend will celebrate the sea with its fresh bounty the star cuisine of the day and activities from deep-sea fishing to boat racing.

The island’s local chefs, whose specialties are served in food stalls that dot the island, will come together with the fisherman to provide a wide range of culinary offerings. In addition to the 20+ food stalls, some of the island’s celebrated restaurants (Hibernia, Cote Mer, KoKo's, among others located in the area) will join in the food fest with stalls as well.

The freshest fish and seafood - lobster, crayfish, conch, tuna, snapper - will be prepared every which way, with tastes ranging from hot and spicy to simply grilled, along with such island specialties as dumplings, fungi (corn meal prepared and served like polenta), fry cakes, rice and peas and other local delights.

Festivities begin early Saturday morning with the Deep Sea Fishing Tournament starting at 7:00am, followed by Sunfish Exhibitors and Boat Races. Admission is free. The food stalls will open at 10:00 am with culinary competitions set to take place throughout the afternoon, open to restaurants and non-restaurateurs. Categories will include best seafood soup or salad, best traditional seafood dish, best roasted or grilled seafood and much more.

Community activities will include awards for “Heaviest Catch of the Day” tips on fishing, swimming races and traditional games - all to the beat of island music.

For additional information, or to learn more about Anguilla, visit Anguilla-vacation.com.