The Most Exciting Events of Cayman Cookout 2024

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that Cayman Cookout is what I consider “Christmas for Foodies”. It is a time of year that I get to see some of my favourite celebrity chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, as well as meet and experience newcomers. This blog is specifically about the Cayman Cookout 2024 events. Interested guests are spoilt for choice, but I know that it can be quite overwhelming when making a decision. Seeing that tickets go on sale October 15th 2023, you want to start planning ahead. If you just need a quick guide on Cayman Cookout and how to choose events that suit your interests, you’ll find me blog, A Local’s Guide to Cayman Cookout helpful.

Steady Your Sea Legs

This year there are a lot of boat adventures for anyone who is looking to enjoy some of their Cayman Cookout days out on Cayman’s crystal clear waters. A new adventure on the schedule is the Hooked On Adventure: Deep see Fishing with Chef Emeril Lagasse. This intimate event will give you the opportunity to mingle with the world renowned Chef Emeril and the chance to hook some big fish in this one-of-a-kind experience. You can also look into the Sunset Sail with Cayman Cookout host Eric Ripert and Marie Christine Osselin presented by Moet & Chandon. Cayman is known for our epic sunsets, so soak it in as you get to mingle with Chef Eric while sipping on champagne and dining on gourmet bites. The Beach Bash is a signature Cayman Cookout event where guests will sail on a Red Sail Sports catamaran to the newly renovated Rum Point. This is event is adored by many because there will be a variety of food stations by a handful of the headlining Cayman Cookout chefs. Another bonus is that prior to your arrival, the catamaran will make a pitstop at the famous Stingray City, one of my activity recommendations visitors have to do when in Grand Cayman.

Let’s Get Physical

There are always physical foodie activities that take place every year, but I’m this year’s schedule has a vast range of sports and fitness-based events compared to years past. Pedal Through Paradise with Sommelier Aldo Sohm will take you along Cayman’s coastline and landscapes all the way to Rum Point. It turns out Aldo Sohm is an avid cyclist and so this event is definitely meant only for guests who are passionate and capable of cycling far distances, but the great thing about this is you’ll get to see some of the lesser known parts of Grand Cayman. The Chef AZ Classic: Conquer the Green with Chef Andrew Zimmern is an afternoon of play at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and guests will enjoy culinary delights with this talented and personable chef. Pickleball & Rose is new this year, but it makes sense that it is on the schedule because pickleball has taken Cayman by storm. You’ll get to participate against other passionate players while sipping on Whispering Angel Rose in between matches. On both Friday and Saturday morning you can attend an event I attend annually, Sparkling Asanas with La Grande Dame. To balance out an indulgent epicurean weekend, I find this yoga-based event on the beach is the perfect way to start the day as you flow through the poses with the sounds of the sea. Hendricks and Croquet will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and you’ll get to enjoy this popular botanical spirit with lively game play. Another annual event that I attend is Ripert & Petanque as this is where all of the Cayman Cookout chefs come out to show their competitive nature in teams of three. It’s always hilarious to watch the rivalry between Chef Jose Andres and Chef Eric Ripert in particular as we are curious to see if the French or the Spanish will take home bragging rights every year. At the event you can sip on Domaine Ott Rose throughout the afternoon and tasty bites will be provided by Chef Jose.

Flavours From Across The World

This year the chefs and beverage experts are bringing global flavours to Cayman Cookout 2024 in the form of tastings, demos or plated meals. New this year is the Star-Studded Palate: 15th Anniversary Welcome Event which officially kicks off the Cayman Cookout weekend. You will get to experience food stations by the headline chefs and wine stations by beverage experts to ensure that this will be a year to remember. Flavour & Flair: A Glimpse of Les Trois Chevaux with Chef Angie Mar sounds like an absolutely delicious lunch to attend. She will combine her passion for French cuisine with her Chinese heritage and guests will enjoy Lingua Franca wines chosen by Master Sommelier Larry Stone. A Culinary Demo with Chef Kristen Kish is one that you won’t want to miss if you are keen to watch her in action, ask questions and taste her flavours that are influenced by French and Italian traditions, plus her midwest upbringing. Last year she had a memorable lunch, but I know that she is a fun and talented individual so her culinary demo where guests can interact with the new Top Chef host is going to be a blast. Sizzling Storytelling: Paella Demo with Chef Jose Andres always sells out because not only is it a paella demo, but Chef Jose brings guests an original entrance. It’s hard to stop smiling when you’re in attendance because he always tells hilarious stories, makes boozy cocktails and moves around like a tasmanian devil while demonstrating his famous Spanish paella. A Culinary Journey Through Mexican Heritage by Chef Enrique Olvera is a lunch that I do not plan on missing! His restaurant Pujol in Mexico City is always highly ranked on of the World’s 50 Best restaurants list and I am keen to try his famous mole as seen on the Netflix series Chef’s Table. A Tapestry of Heritage, Tradition and Flavours Luncheon with Chef Kwame Onwuachi is another exciting lunch where this James Beard Award winning chef will serve a meal that showcases his Nigerian and Louisiana upbringing along with influences from New York City living. I am a huge fan of this Top Chef alum and even have his cookbook My America, which features African, American South and Caribbean recipes. If you feel that you are torn between Chef Enrique and Chef Kwame, I should note that they are both also doing culinary demos as well. The Niigata Sake Experience is a beverage demo that’s caught my eye because it is all about premium Japanese sake. Carrie Becker is a Sake Specialist and will provide guests with proper tasting techniques, common food pairings and discuss the versatility behind this ancient beverage. The Allure of Greek Cuisine with Chef Pano Karatassos is a dinner that will transport you to the Med. Having had his food in Cayman at Cayman Cookout 2020 and the Harvest Dinner hosted by The Brasserie in March 2023, I know that he is a master when it comes to serving traditional and innovate Greek cuisine. Traditions and Flavours of Turkish Cuisine by Chef Okan Kizilbayir is very exciting because this isn’t a cuisine that you could find on island until the Agua Hospitality Group opened Aria this past summer. Guests can expect a feast exuding Turkish flavours where traditional plates will come with a twist. Spirited Sips for Tea Lovers with TJ Vong is new to the schedule and sounds super unique. Guests will learn how to utilise tea in cocktails and other creative recipes that you can easily prepare at home and impress your friends with.

I’m sure that you are as excited about the 15th Annual Cayman Cookout as I am and if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me or the Cayman Cookout team. Learn more about these highlighted events and the many others on the Cayman Cookout 2024 schedule by visiting their website. Tickets officially go on sale October 15th, so make sure to buy them sooner than later!