Thousands Attend Taste Of Bermuda Events
The City of Hamilton’s Taste of Bermuda once again lived up to its reputation as the island’s premier culinary celebration, drawing thousands of food lovers into the City for a weekend of flavour and excitement.
A spokesperson said, “Held from October 9th to 12th, the four-day event showcased the best of Bermuda’s culinary talent through vibrant experiences, live entertainment, and community spirit. This year’s festival drew impressive community support, with Sunday’s Tasting Village bringing in almost $30,000 in sales for local vendors over a 6-hour span.”
City Director of Marketing and Communications, Jessica Astwood, said: “Each year, Taste of Bermuda continues to raise the bar, and this year’s turnout was a clear reflection of that momentum. We were thrilled to see not only strong local engagement, but also a noticeable increase in visitors who made the festival part of their Bermuda experience. From food lovers to cultural explorers, the event drew a diverse crowd that energized the City and supported our local businesses.
“While we navigated a few logistical adjustments, including a venue change and weather-related timing tweaks, the enthusiasm from participants and attendees never wavered. The weekend showcased the strength of our hospitality sector and reinforced Hamilton’s position as a vibrant culinary and business hub. We’re proud to see Taste of Bermuda evolving into an event that resonates both locally and internationally.
“It was a weekend that brought the city to life, not just with the fun and excitement of the events, but with meaningful economic activity. From bustling salons and sold-out dinner seatings at participating hotels to busy retailers, taxis and over 100 local vendors across Hamilton and beyond, Taste of Bermuda made its presence felt throughout the island. Everyone played a vital role in creating a world-class weekend of events and I’d like to thank all participants, sponsors, businesses and staff on behalf of the City.”
The spokesperson said, “The weekend opened on Thursday night with Tastemakers, a new collaboration between the City of Hamilton and the Bermuda Hotel Association, which saw most of the exclusive dining experiences sell out ahead of time. Some of the island’s top hotels [Cambridge Beaches, Azura, The Reefs, and Rosedon Hotel] each hosted an intimate culinary showcase highlighting their executive chefs and visiting culinary guests. Diners enjoyed bespoke menus, beverage pairings, and the personal storytelling behind each dish.”
Bermuda Hotel Association President Clarence Hofheins said of Thursday’s event: “Tastemakers was more than a culinary event; it was a statement about what’s possible when Bermuda’s hotel sector comes together to create something exceptional. The energy, creativity, and care that each property poured into their experience was inspiring, and the response from our patrons has been overwhelmingly positive. We thank the Corporation of Hamilton for recognizing the value of including our hotels in this year’s Taste of Bermuda, and we look forward to building on this success in the years to come. Bermuda’s hospitality story is just getting started.”
The spokesperson said, “Friday evening’s Art of the Pour cocktail competition, held at the world-famous Bacardi Global Headquarters, dazzled guests with its ‘Roaring Twenties’ theme. Bermuda’s top bars, restaurants, and hotels competed for the title of Bermuda’s Best Bacardi Cocktail before a live audience of industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts. The fully themed event transported attendees to the glamour of the Jazz Age, complete with vintage attire, live music, and light bites from local culinary vendors – a true highlight of the weekend.
“The City extends its congratulations to the evening’s winners:
- Best Vodka Cocktail: Fairmont Hamilton Princess
- Best Gin Cocktail: The Loren Hotel
- Best Rum Cocktail: Rosewood Tucker’s Point
- Best Tequila Cocktail: Toast & Taste
- Best Whiskey Cocktail: Rock & Barrel
- Best Bar Cocktail: Toast & Taste
- Best Restaurant Cocktail: Rock & Barrel
- Best Hotel Experience: The Loren Hotel
- Best Overall Cocktail: The Loren Hotel
“The Best Overall Cocktail winners from The Loren Hotel will receive an exclusive trip for two to Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico, including flights, accommodation, and access to a personalized brand experience.
“Saturday night saw the All-White Ball transform the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club into a scene of pure elegance, as guests arrived in dazzling white for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, fashion, and live entertainment.
“The night began with a sophisticated cocktail hour followed by a curated three-course dinner with wine pairings, setting the tone for an evening of indulgence. Entertainment highlights included a dynamic performance by Bermuda’s own TROIKA, who thrilled the audience with their high-energy tribute to dance through the decades, and local favourites Hindsight, who kept the crowd on their feet.
“The evening’s headliner, internationally acclaimed violinist Mapy ‘The Violin Queen’, took to the stage for a spellbinding performance that blended classical mastery with contemporary flair. Having performed alongside global icons such as Beyoncé and Snoop Dog, Mapy electrified the ballroom with her signature fusion of violin, dance, and vibrant stage presence, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
“Guests also enjoyed dazzling sway pole dancers soaring above the dance floor, a complimentary makeup and glam bar, a whimsical photo booth, and artisan cotton candy creations that added a touch of sweetness to the celebration.
“The night culminated in an after-party filled with music, dancing, and celebration, further cementing the All-White Ball’s reputation as one of Bermuda’s most glamorous and sought-after annual events.
“The weekend wrapped up with the family-friendly Tasting Village at City Hall Car Park on Sunday, which drew large crowds for an open-air festival of flavours. The event featured 26 food and beverage vendors offering everything from pineapple jerk chicken and pulled pork tacos to spicy watermelon ceviche. The Tasting Village generated nearly $30,000 in revenue for participating vendors.
“Families enjoyed a packed Kids Zone with free activities including bouncy castles, face painting, zip lining, cookie decorating, a climbing wall, and the popular money-grab machine, where children could exchange their ‘Taste dollars’ for tokens to sample foods around the Village.
“Emcees Patrina ‘Power Girl’ O’Connor and Town Crier Ed Christopher kept the energy high throughout the day. Guests were treated to live cooking demonstrations, cultural performances, and an encore show from Mapy, The Violin Queen. The festivities concluded with a traditional performance by Bermuda’s beloved Gombeys.
“The crowd also voted for the Best of the Fest award, with Pssst crowned the 2025 champion and The Cloud recognized as runner-up.
“This year’s Tasting Village achieved strong community participation, with PTIX facilitating seamless token sales and resulting in vendors collectively generating significant revenue.
“Meanwhile, Kareem Hollis was the lucky winner of the City’s pre-Taste social media contest, earning a three-minute ‘Supermarket Sweep’-style shopping spree at Pronto City Market. The City extends its thanks to Pronto City Market for supporting this fun and successful initiative.”
Ms. Astwood added, “The City would like to thank our valued sponsors – Clarien Bank, Bacardi Ltd., the Bermuda Hotel Association, Barritts, Exclusive Group of Companies, Discovery Wines, and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – for their unwavering support. Together we have grown Taste of Bermuda into the island’s largest curated food-centric event, exemplifying the true power in collaboration. Their continued support plays a vital role in shaping the festival’s growth and establishing its cultural significance each year.
“Our goal has always been to strategically design a weekend that brings the community together through food and culture, bridging tradition with innovation, and creating moments that resonate long after the weekend.”
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