Heritage Picnic Launches Restaurant Weeks
A picnic combining Bermuda’s creative talent and centuries-old island history has officially launched Restaurant Weeks 2020.
Under sunny skies, 60 attendees enjoyed the outdoor fragrance and food-pairing lunch staged by the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] in the rose garden of 300-year-old Waterville, the Bermuda National Trust Headquarters in Paget.
The event, teaming luxury picnic purveyor and event planner Elizabeth Blankendal of Eettafel and Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone of Lili Bermuda also highlighted the island’s distinct heritage and horticulture through partnership with the Bermuda Rose Society. Musical entertainment was provided by a local string ensemble that will perform with overseas musicians during this season’s Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts.
Elizabeth Blankendal [left] of Eettafel, and Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone of Lili Bermuda, with BTA Chief Experiences Development Officer Glenn Jones
“We created this event as an example of how under-used heritage sites can be leveraged together with Bermuda’s cultural assets, especially in the non-summer months,” said Glenn Jones, BTA Chief Experience Development Officer.
“With new events like this one, the Bermuda Tourism Authority improves our destination’s ability to inspire year-round travel, while at the same time, opening the imaginations of local event planners, caterers and musicians.”
The picnic kicked off more than a fortnight of celebrating the island’s food culture, launching the ninth year of Restaurant Weeks [January 16 to February 2].
More than 50 local restaurants are in the 2020 participating line-up, offering $32, $42, and $52 three-course, prix-fixe menus for dinner, and $22 two-course meals for lunch.
Highlights include three special food experiences created by the BTA and partners for RW2020 under the banner theme of “Food is Community.” Yesterday’s alfresco lunch was the first, to be followed by:
- Bermuda Culture & Heritage Dinner at Fourways Restaurant, Paget, January 24: featuring a collaboration by Ghanaian-American Top Chef finalist Chef Eric Adjepong with Bermy Eats chefs Jaeleen Steede and Raven White
- Transport Museum Fish Fry at Bermuda Transport Museum, Dockyard, February 2: bringing together local seafood preparers and beverage makers [Generosa’s, Bone Fish Bar & Grill, Frog & Onion Pub & Restaurant, 9 Parishes, Dockyard Brewing Co, On de Rock Brewing] for a summer-like fish fry
A fragrance and food-pairing picnic in the historic Waterville rose garden launched Restaurant Weeks
“It was fantastic spending a sunny afternoon with delicious, locally sourced dishes, paired with local scents,” said attendee Katrina Nusum, Head of Group Compliance & Conduct, Bermuda CCO, Fidelity International/FIL Limited. “Learning new facts about Bermuda’s history rounded out the event.”
The BTA created a Bermuda Food Harvest Almanac with the help of local farmers, fishermen and beekeepers that also debuted this month and is available at the weekly Saturday Farmers’ Market at the Botanical Gardens, Paget. The guide connects restaurateurs, grocers and consumers with locally grown foods.
“Our strategy with all these initiatives,” said Mr Jones, “has been to advance local food culture, promote sustainability, and create memorable, only in-Bermuda experiences that capture imaginations and inspire travel.”
For more information, menus, and tickets for food experiences here.
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Nice! When was this, the 1940′s?
Sensitivity training needed for BTA. The visual is a reminder of our painful past.
Your painful past? Seriously? Get a life!
Gotta keep the anger alive you know .
Of when we use to have tourists and locals serving them? That painful past?
It has become more obvious BTA has a select few stakeholders they fund, hire for events and promote on social media plus tourism marketing material.