St. Maarten and St. Martin Join Forces for Taste of the Caribbean 2026

St. Maarten and Saint Martin are preparing to send a joint culinary team to Taste of the Caribbean in Barbados this November, marking their return to the regional competition for the first time since 2017. The initiative brings together tourism organizations from both sides of the island, with support from the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau and the Office de Tourisme de Saint Martin.

Preparing for the Competition

Training began on October 20 under the guidance of Renata De Weever, who coached the successful St. Maarten team in 2017. The delegation will spend the coming weeks preparing for the competition, which brings together chefs, bartenders and other culinary professionals from across the Caribbean.

De Weever advised the participants to rely on their experience rather than overcomplicate their dishes. "In the end, it’s about sticking to your core experience and the recipes you believe in. Taste is what prevails in this competition—don't overcomplicate it," she said.

The return has required coordination and fundraising to cover the costs of participation. St. Maarten Flavors, the island's culinary promotion program, has helped raise funds, while Winair is supporting the team's travel to Barbados. The full team roster has not yet been announced.

A Shared Culinary Identity

The November competition coincides with the Festival de la Gastronomie on the French side, creating an opportunity to draw additional attention to the island's food culture.

Aïda Weinum, director of the Office de Tourisme de Saint Martin, welcomed the collaboration, saying: "We are elated to work together to spread the word about the 'Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.' With the Festival de la Gastronomie and 'Taste' in one month, we look forward to a truly gastronomic November."

For St. Maarten, the joint participation offers a chance to showcase local culinary talent to a wider Caribbean audience. Food is an important part of the island's visitor experience, and stronger cooperation between both sides can help raise the profile of local chefs, restaurants and culinary traditions while inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals. May Ling Chun of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau also highlighted the opportunity to showcase the island's culinary heritage and encourage aspiring chefs and bartenders.

Following the 2017 Team

The previous delegation included team captain Dino Jagtiani, chefs Pieter Holstein, Ronald Estephane and David Cudicio, junior chefs Suzy Adoptie and Mrinal Wadhwa, and team member Justin Assendelft.

Taste of the Caribbean, organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, began in 1993 and returned in 2024 following a multi-year interruption during the pandemic.

Residents and visitors interested in sampling the new team's creations before the competition can request further information by emailing events@shta.com. The delegation is expected to travel to Barbados in November.