NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (July 13, 2018) — Plantains will be the featured ingredient for the St. Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week 2018 which runs from July 20 to 29, 2018, with an increased number of participating eating places.

Mr. John Hanley, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism on Nevis, told the Department of Information on July 10, 2018, that of the 40 who have indicated their interest in participating on both islands, 15 are on Nevis.

“Across the Federation we have over 40 restaurants participating. We have a slight increase from last year.

“In Nevis, last year we had about a dozen restaurants, this year we have 15 who have indicated interest in participating in Restaurant Week: Weekendz Bar and Grill, Sunshine, Lime Beach Bar and Grill, Nisbet Plantation, Oualie Beach Resort, Hermitage, Paradise Drive Thru, Boddie’s Café, Pump Road Barbecue, Rodney’s Cuisine, The Gin Trap, Yachtsman Grill and Montpelier Plantation and Beach as well as Mango Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort,” he said.

The event which, is in its fourth year, is designed to generate business for the tourism industry during the slow season, to increase exposure and to promote agricultural produce cultivated on St. Kitts and on Nevis. In the first year, the focus was on breadfruit, the following year was pumpkin and last year was yam.

Mr. Hanley said since the culinary event was launched, the Ministry of Tourism on Nevis has recorded some success.

“We have achieved some measures of success with Restaurant Week, there is increased business. We have noticed that the smaller restaurants tend to do particularly well because they tend to be very flexible restaurants and they tend to capitalize and take full advantage of what Restaurant Week has to offer,” he said.

The week also gives persons the opportunity to try a variety of local restaurants in a short space of time. It also gives them an idea as to where to have their functions to celebrate special occasions.

During the week, members of the public have the opportunity to dine out at reduced rates. However, Mr. Hanley noted that a specific cost system will be used.

“For dinner, we have three fixed price points. So at the more exclusive restaurants you can get a three-course meal for US$60 and then there are some restaurants who will offer also a three-course meal for US$40 and others for US$20. If you go to www.restaurantweek.kn you will find a complete list of all the participating restaurants and the price points at which they are participating.

“We also have quite a few places that will be offering lunch specials. The cost…will be at the desecretion of these restaurants but at least one of their dishes will feature plantains,” he said.

On Thursday, July 26, 2018, Rodney’s Cuisine at Stoney Grove will host an event called “Taste de Tradition” as part of the week’s activities. Patrons will have the opportunity to taste a variety of local items for EC$10 or less. Apart from that, lunch will also be available for sale.

A Wine Tasting class and a cooking contest and demonstrations will also form part of the activities.