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As an adventurous foodie, travel for me begins on a boat and ends at a table. Wherever I roam, my taste buds are at the helm, and no place grabs their attention like the Caribbean.
Walking into a Jamaican kitchen makes my stomach rumble with anticipation of platters piled high with jerk chicken, curry goat, callaloo (sauteed greens) coco bread, and rice with pigeon peas (actually beans). Each island presents a unique spin on local ingredients, making every destination an uncharted dining experience.
Few places on the planet can claim such a cornucopia of culinary influences on regional cuisine like the islands – and that’s what makes it unique. Colonization brought the fusion of British, Spanish, French and Dutch flavors into the pantry. Slaves from West Africa added earthy spices to the mix, and the indigenous people knew how to stir native fruits, vegetables and herbs into this incomparable melting pot of dishes.
When I return from vacations, I miss the Caribbean lifestyle — the blue waters, music, culture and most of all the food. Living in a city with many Jamaican, Cuban, Puerto Rican and other island-style restaurants helps, but creating my own Caribbean feast feels more rewarding. So, I’ve amassed a list of places in the islands where chefs share their secrets and teach techniques for cooking regional dishes.
If you want to bolster your culinary skills and bring Caribbean flavors back home, sign up for some of the following classes and learn how to make local food, cocktails and chocolate while you cruise the islands.
Dominica
This hand-on cooking experience brings guests into the home of a seasoned chef who has mastered the art of Caribbean cuisine, with a special flare for delicious and nutritious local foods. High on a hilltop surrounded by tropical trees and stunning views, you learn about the island lifestyle while taking part in preparing dishes such as coconut rice and peas and Creole fish, all made from fresh ingredients. While sipping a glass of rum punch, the class kicks back for a tasty meal and hears stories about life in Dominica. Morning and afternoon classes are available; all skill levels are welcome. The new cookbook, Cooking Caribbean with Daria, shares recipes made in class and expands your repertoire on this cuisine.
Bonaire
Fans of snorkeling in turquoise waters and eating just-caught seafood can merge their passions at this unique culinary experience. Strap on your flippers for a swim amidst colorful corals and sea creatures, then come ashore on Donkey Beach to learn how locals use traditional methods to catch fish. After the hosts fire up the grill, they’ll show you how to cook your dinner Caribbean style. This presents a memorable family experience, as both children and adults are encouraged to join the fun.
Antigua
At a lovely house in the mountains overlooking the Caribbean Sea and St. Johns harbor, guests experience the Antigua lifestyle while learning how to cook local food. Chef Nicole and her family guide you through the process of preparing traditional dishes that represent the regional culture and ingredients during four classes: All about Jerk, Cooking with Rum, Coordinating Curry and From the Sea. When the meal is ready, the group dines family style on a spacious veranda surrounded by gardens growing flowers, herbs and spices. A tasting lets you explore rum from six different regions. If you want to stay after class, you can rent their studio apartment and explore the area. The Zoom Cooking Club online class lets you continue your Caribbean cuisine studies when you return home.
St. Lucia
Boaters with a sweet tooth can sign up for two fascinating classes to learn the history and process for creating our favorite sugary delicacy at a six-acre site on the Rabot Estate. The Tree to Bar Experience takes you into the rainforest to tour a cacao grove and witness each step along a cacao bean’s journey from seedling to chocolate. The Bean to Bar Experience is designed for chocolate lovers who want the ultimate insider experience from tasting cacao pulp from a freshly cut pod and transforming it into roasted cacao beans. In both classes, instructors show you how to hand-craft your own chocolate bar.
Jamaica
Consider this a foodie epicenter for joining activities from cooking classes and chef events to beverage pairings and mixology instruction on cuisines from the Caribbean and around the globe. Experts in a range of culinary specialties guide you through techniques and hands-on activities to create delicious dining adventures. Kids’ classes and summer camps bring the entire family into hands-on experiences. And the market makes available the essential spices, ingredients and marinates to replicate the region’s unique flavors back home.
Dominican Republic
Activities in this deluxe kitchen space are dedicated to sharing with visitors the unique gastronomical culture of the Dominical Republic. Master classes kick off with a cocktail, and then chefs reveal the recipes, techniques and local ingredients for traditional dishes such as Sancocho (a soup with seven meats, tubers, herbs and spices), Caribbean Lobster, and Chillo al Coco (snapper cooked with coconut milk). Other hands-on culinary experiences include pairings and tastings of rum, coffee and chocolate. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and a new appreciation of Caribbean cuisine is guaranteed. Sessions conclude with a communal meal between instructors and students. A portion of the feast goes to Un Mundo Mejor Foundation that aids orphaned and needy children.
Antigua
Sipping cocktails while reclining under a palm tree is the hallmark of a Caribbean getaway. But if you’re curious about the liquor in your glass, then visit Academy of Rum at Galleon Beach Resort for a distillery tour and master class in rum making. Mixing traditional Caribbean methods with modern innovations, this interactive class gives you the skills to create a bottle of rum custom-designed to your personal taste. The seaside setting on Freeman’s Bay is a spectacular place to wait as the staff sticks a label on your newly crafted bottle to take home as a unique souvenir. When the lesson is over, you can snorkel in the bay or grab a bite at Loose Cannon Beach Bar and sample a variety of local rums to see how yours compares to the pros.
Puerto Rico
The headquarters of one of the world’s most beloved rums is more than a manufacturing plant. It’s also a haven for learning about the history of rum, the distillation process and why a bat is stamped on every Bacardi label. Two tours offer insight into Puerto Rico and rum culture. The Rum Tasting Tour teaches you how to taste rum like a pro and recognize the subtle nuances of its distinct flavors. The Mixology Class reveals the backstory behind popular cocktails, shares bar tricks and develops skills in creating the perfectly blended rum beverage using fresh local ingredients. Classes are taught in English and offer a guided tour of the facility.
For centuries, plantains have been a centerpiece in Caribbean and other tropical cuisines. This recipe from the new cookbook, Cooking Caribbean with Daria, harkens back to generations of traditional dishes and adds a dash of sweet spices to the plate.
INGREDIENTS
Plantains, 2 ripe and firm, sliced
1 cup Milk
1⁄2 cup Flour
1 Egg
1 tsp. Cinnamon, grated (or cinnamon powder)
1 tsp. Nutmeg, grated (or nutmeg powder)
Pinch of Sugar
Oil for deep frying
INSTRUCTIONS
Beat the egg. Add the milk, then slowly add the flour. The mixture must have the consistency of batter. Add the spices and mix thoroughly. Spoon in the plantains and mix well. Scoop out individual battered slices and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
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