Destination Showcases BVI Culinary Culture and Promotes Anegada Lobster Festival
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands — 18th November 2025, The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) is set to spotlight the destination’s rich culinary heritage as the featured guest destination at the grand finale of the 5th Festival de la Gastronomie (Saint Martin Gastronomy Festival) on 22 November 2025. The BVITBFC’s participation follows an official invitation from the Saint Martin Tourist Board to headline the festival’s closing celebration.
“The British Virgin Islands is honoured to be showcased as the star destination for the closing night of the Saint Martin Gastronomy Festival,” said RaeNisia Scatliffe, Regional Marketing Manager for the BVITBFC. “This platform presents an exceptional opportunity to promote the British Virgin Islands within a neighbouring market that shares deep cultural ties with us, through our food, music, and people. It aligns perfectly with our strategy to increase engagement within the region, particularly with destinations that offer direct connections to the BVI. We look forward to strengthening regional relationships and sharing the vibrant flavours of the BVI with our Caribbean family.”
Ms. Scatliffe will lead the BVI delegation, joined by Events Manager Dirk Walters and International Marketing Manager Feliza Fenty-Clifford. The team will be accompanied by special guests including Chef Tonya Smith, a Virgin Islands culinary educator and caterer, who will treat attendees to tasting portions of the Territory’s beloved national dish, Fungi and Fish:, and celebrated Long Bay mixologists Lesroy Baptiste and Stephen Marcellin, who will present a signature cocktail highlighting the festival’s featured ingredient, passion fruit, for an authentic and refreshing BVI twist.
The BVITBFC’s presence at the festival finale also provides a timely opportunity to promote the upcoming Anegada Lobster Festival, taking place from 28–30 November 2025, as well as highlight signature events on the BVI’s 2026 events calendar.
About the British Virgin Islands
Known as a treasured destination rich in undiscovered experiences, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is an alluring archipelago comprising 60 islands and cays located in the northeastern region of the Caribbean Sea. With plentiful private villas and luxury boutique resorts, there is no shortage of accommodations from which to choose, whether for leisure or MICE (meetings, events, and incentives) travel. The BVI has long been celebrated as the sailing capital of the world, thanks to its line-of-sight navigation, wide range of charter options—including bareboat, crewed, powered, and traditional hoisted sail—and wealth of experiences tailored to yacht enthusiasts. Reflecting this legacy, the destination holds official trademarks as The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the World™, British Virgin Islands – The Undisputed Sailing Capital of the Caribbean™, and The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the Caribbean™. The destination’s unparalleled offerings continue to garner global recognition. Recent accolades include making The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2025” list, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke being named among the “Top Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas” in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards, being named as the “Hottest Destination of 2025” in Modern Luxury’s 2025 Best of Luxury Travel Awards and consistently ranking among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean,” including #2 for 2021-2022. For more information on how to experience the BVI, visit the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission website at www.bvitourism.com or contact 1-800-835-8530.
