Although Guildford might not be a city yet, it is still big and impressive enough to be able to welcome countless different events throughout the year. One of the main genres of things that take place in the town are food events, giving people the opportunity to enjoy many different flavours from around the world. If that sounds like the sort of thing that you would like, you might want to consider the Taste of the Caribbean Festival, which puts outdoor street food front and centre of what you’re likely to experience during the day.
What Is Caribbean Food?
The food of the Caribbean isn’t one thing, instead being a fusion of the food of the likes of West Africa, Latin America, India and China. It sees Creole influence and both Europe and North America having plenty to offer, thanks in no small part to the fact that the Caribbean has been colonised in the past and each of the various cultures that occupied the area brought their own cuisines along. The Spaniards used the voyages of Christopher Columbus to introduce such ingredients as coconut, chickpeas and onions as well as garlic and aubergines, which have remained part of the cooking ever since.
Then there is the fact that the Caribbean isn’t one place, but is instead made up of numerous different islands. Each of them have their own personalities and the various regions promise alternative flavours and ingredients. You will see the use of rice and plantains across almost all of the islands, as are things such as bell peppers, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. One of the other key aspects of the food is the numerous different spices that will ensure that people get a full flavour experience when they try any of the food from the region, whilst puddings are what the British introduced to the area.
The Festival Experience
If you like the sound of the food of the Caribbean, then you will be delighted to learn that the Taste of the Caribbean Festival is the latest food festival in the United Kingdom that is dedicated to the world of Caribbean food. It is open to families, so you have the opportunity to take any little ones in your life along to introduce them to some flavours that they might not otherwise get to experience. Although the Caribbean often looks to stranger meets like goat and oxtail, there will be plenty of options for those that don’t have quite the same kind of experimental palate as the chefs.
You will almost certainly have heard of jerk chicken, for example, whilst both lamb and pork are also used by Caribbean cooks. If you are a fish lover, then you will be intrigued by the flavours of the saltfish or keen to try the way that Caribbean cooks like to do lobster and crab. Nowadays, not everyone will eat meat or fish and if that is the category that you find yourself in, then you will be pleased to know that there are also vegan versions of many different Caribbean favourites. This will allow those that tend to avoid eating meat and fish the chance to still take part in the overall festival experience.
It’s About More Than Just the Food
There is little question that the food takes centre stage during the Taste of the Caribbean Festival, but that isn’t the only thing to have emerged from the islands. Many will also be aware that there have been countless amazing musicians to have come from the Caribbean and their experiences are also represented. You can see cover bands like The Marley Experience and UB4D, for example, as well as the Carnival Steel Pan Bands that always bring an event such as this to life. The music session is hosted by MTV Base’s Kat, bringing the whole thing together in style.
Away from the live music, there are also market stalls that will be selling the likes of books, jewellery and clothes from the Caribbean. If you have young ones with you, then you will be able to get them in for free as long as they’re under 14-years-old. If they like to engage in such things, then the children’s area with games and free activities will almost certainly appeal. Things such as bouncy castles and funfair rides are on offer, as well as face painting and storytelling. There are puppet shows and circus skills, which includes the presence of stilt walkers making their way around the place.
Learn How to Cook Caribbean Food
The whole ethos of the Taste of the Caribbean Festival is that it is an unforgettable experience, aiming to introduce people to the different tastes and flavours of the Caribbean. As a result, one of the things that you might be interested in is the ability to head along to the cooking demonstrations, which is hosted by Richard Blackwood and involves celebrity chefs and local chefs taking to the stage in order to guide you through how they work with the different ingredients of the Caribbean. It is the perfect opportunity to see how you might be able to spice things up in your own kitchen.
If you are more of an eater than a doer, then fear not, there are plenty of places you can get a bite to eat without needing to learn how to cook it first. There are also eating competitions, should you fancy yourself as the kind of person who can take on all comers as you enjoy the food put in front of you. You should bear in mind, though, that Caribbean food can sometimes have a bit of a kick to it, so be wary of getting involved if you’re not really much of a fan of spicy food. More than anything else, though, this is just an opportunity to learn more about one of the world’s best cuisines.