Foodie News
THE BAHAMAS CULINARY & ARTS FESTIVAL AT BAHA MAR RETURNS THIS OCTOBER FOR THE THIRD SPECTACULAR YEAR
Early Bird Weekend Passes are Available now for the Caribbean’s Leading Celebration of
Food, Community & Culture
NASSAU, Bahamas /PRNewswire/ — Following the record-breaking success of last year’s event, Baha Mar announces the return of The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival, from October 22-27, 2024. The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival showcases the best in culinary and artistic expression headlined by world-renowned chef talent including Marcus Samuelsson of Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, Katsuya Uechi of Katsuya, and Dario Cecchini of Carna. Baha Mar’s chefs will be joined by Bahamian celebrity chef, Chef Simeon Hall Jr., Food Network stars Amanda Freitag, Carla Hall, Maneet Chauhan, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Scott Conant. Also in attendance will be the US’ foremost spirits expert and author Noah Rothbaum, sommelier Amanda McCossin, mixology master Karl Williams, and Bahamian mixologist Marv the Mixologist. This year’s festival will also feature the return of FUZE Art Expo, the Caribbean’s premiere gallery showcase for regional art facilitated by John Cox, Executive Director of Art & Culture at Baha Mar, as well as another show-stopping musical performance, to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival,
“Going into our third year, our goal is clear – to continue to uplift our culinary and arts artisans, furthering Baha Mar’s commitment to enrich our Bahamian community and provide world-class offerings for our guests and residents,” says Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. “The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival is the ultimate platform to do just that, and this year’s programming will be truly spectacular.”
The festival kicks off Tuesday, October 22, with the annual Truffle Dinner by Daniel Boulud at Cafe Boulud, followed by five days of unforgettable experiences including the Beach Party Powered by SLS Baha Mar – an entertainment and culinary celebration that brings together the best of SLS Baha Mar’s chefs for a truly authentic epicurean experience. Taking place at the award-winning Baha Bay Waterpark, the Welcome Beach Party will feature a special musical performance and a decadent night of culinary experiences with dishes from fan favorites such as Katsuya, Cleo, Carna, and many more. The party doesn’t stop there, weekend pass holders will be welcomed by Marcus Samuelsson who will close out the night at Marcus After Dark, a late-night event at Marcus Gardens featuring an exclusive concert after party to celebrate The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival with delicious tropical beverages and bites. The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival will also bring back the two-day Culinary Expo from October 26-27, featuring live entertainment and Bahamian hospitality with mainstage celebrity chef demos by Carla Hall, Geoffrey Zakarian, Maneet Chauhan, and more.
Also returning to The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival is the FUZE Art Expo from October 23-27. Facilitated by John Cox, Executive Director of Art & Culture at Baha Mar, FUZE focuses on decentralizing the art market and creating an epicenter for Bahamian art and the surrounding regions. FUZE brings together island pioneers to display a vast collection of artwork from seven different Caribbean nations, and will feature multi-disciplinary creative programming including artist-led panel discussions, guided tours, live printmaking demonstrations, and a specially curated film series. FUZE is proud to welcome renowned artists and galleries, including Shacqueel Coleby, John Paul Saddleton, June Collie, The Bahamas Music Society and more.
“I participate in a number of festivals and events throughout the year, and The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival is one of my favorites,” says Marcus Samuelsson. “There really is no other event that brings such an incredible group of culinary and beverage talent together with renowned artists for an immersive opportunity to experience the flavors, culture, and soul of the island.”
Exciting new programming at this year’s festival includes a Rose Soiree Pickleball Tournament, Flamingos & Flocktails, Baha Mar Young Chefs Competition and Straw Craft Workshop. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sharpen their culinary skills with leading chefs during special master class sessions such as a Pizza Masterclass & Signature Chef Hosted Lunch with Scott Conant. The week will also feature a series of intimate Signature Chef Dinners hosted by the festival’s headlining and guest chefs, as each duo takes guests on a culinary journey with specially curated menus including A Tale of Two Curries with Maneet Chauhan and Simeon Hall Jr. Baha Mar is also featuring incredible, bespoke spirits and wine tastings, cocktail seminars and happy hour mixers from leaders in the industry, including Noah Rothbaum, Karl Williams, Marv the Mixologist, and Amanda McCossin.
Early bird weekend pass tickets for the event are now on sale at www.festival.bahamar.com/weekend-pass-tickets/ and range from $599++ for the Gold Weekend Pass and $799++ for the Platinum Weekend Pass. Guests can enjoy The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival at Baha Mar in spectacular fashion with the all-inclusive Festival Gold Weekend Pass which includes access to flagship events and experiences, and early access to some of the most exclusive chef experiences. Gold pass holders also receive admission to the Beach Party with Gold Access and Marcus After Dark, the official beach party after-party, exclusively for weekend pass holders, as well as unlimited access to The Bahamas Culinary Expo and FUZE Arts Expo on Saturday and Sunday, a coveted seat at a Signature Chef Hosted Dinner and a welcome gift bag upon check-in. Festival goers can upgrade their experience with the Platinum Weekend Pass and make it a VIP weekend, granting access to all Gold Weekend Pass activities plus the opportunity to get up close and personal at the Beach Party with Platinum Access, early entry to The Bahamas Culinary Expo and FUZE Arts Expo on Saturday and Sunday, as well as all-day spectator access to the Rose Soiree Pickleball Tournament and a premium welcome gift bag upon check-in.
Additional experiences will be announced in the coming weeks, including intimate culinary and art activities hosted by Baha Mar’s leading chefs and artists. For more information about the event, please visit www.bahamar.com/bahamas-culinary-arts-festival/ for full details on featured chefs and artists, event specifics, art exhibitions, and a link for easy ticket purchase.
About Baha Mar
Baha Mar is a master planned integrated resort development situated on 1,000 acres overlooking the world’s famous Cable Beach. The white sand beach destination includes three global brand operators – Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood – over 2,300 rooms and more than 45 restaurants and lounges, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, Royal Blue Golf Course, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature course, a brand new $200 million Baha Bay luxury water park, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA spa, and over 30 luxury retail outlets. Baha Mar is a breathtaking location with dynamic programming, activities, and guest offerings in one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Bahamas. For more information and reservations, visit www.bahamar.com.
SOURCE Baha Mar
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
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Food and Beverage
Complement Game Day with a Crispy Snack
Game Day Treat: During peak homegating season, a successful game day host should offer tasty snacks, like Crispy Potato Skins, to keep fans engaged. This hearty classic features russet potatoes, bacon, cheese, and optional toppings like sour cream and green onions, providing an easy, delicious addition to any watch party.
Last Updated on February 7, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Complement Game Day with a Crispy Snack
(Family Features) In the midst of peak homegating season, with football championships taking center stage and action heating up on the hardwood, a good game day host knows you can never have too many delicious snacks on hand. Kicking off the madness can be as easy as these Crispy Potato Skins, a hearty watch party classic that keeps fans fueled and engaged with the game on the big screen.
Enjoy all the touchdown tosses and alley-oop action with more recipe inspiration at Culinary.net.
Crispy Potato Skins
Recipe adapted from Simply Recipes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Servings: 6
- 6 medium russet potatoes
- extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 slices bacon
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream (optional)
- thinly sliced green onions (optional)
- Heat oven to 400 F. Clean potatoes then pierce with fork.
- Rub potatoes with olive oil then bake 1 hour until cooked through.
- In frying pan over medium heat, cook bacon 10-15 minutes until crisp. Drain on paper towel-lined plate then crumble.
- Cut cooked potatoes in half then scoop out insides, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato inside skins. Rub with olive oil then season with salt, to taste. Place on roasting pan and cook 10 minutes. Flip and cook 10 minutes.
- Arrange potatoes skin-sides down and season with pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with cheese and crumbled bacon then broil 2 minutes.
- Serve with sour cream and sliced green onions, if desired.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Food and Beverage
Mix a Little Luck into Your Big Game Menu
Picture this: Your team is down three points, but the taste of victory is just one field goal away. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a whole lot of guac. Dip into good fortune this football season with help from this Good Luck Guac recipe.
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Mix a Little Luck into Your Big Game Menu
(Family Features) Picture this: Your team is down three points, but the taste of victory is just one field goal away. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a whole lot of guac. After all, an estimated 250 million pounds of avocados are consumed during the Big Game each year, according to Hass Avocado Board Volume Data. That’s enough to fill 30 million football helmets with guac – but filling your belly instead is a win-win for good luck and great flavor. Dip into good fortune this football season with help from Avocado From Mexico’s Guac Guru, Rob Riggle, whose visionary Good Luck Guac recipe is ready to share just in time for the Big Game. Whether you’re in it for the football, the commercials or the snacks, this recipe can score major points with your entire crew.
Crafted for fans of every team, this bold, golden twist on a favorite football snack is infused with ingredients associated with good luck – edible gold flakes and pomegranate seeds – to get you through the most nail-biting moments of the game. The star ingredient is fresh, high-quality Avocados From Mexico that offer good taste, good nutrition, and good times. Beyond delicious dips, chips and lots of fun, hosting a watch party can also be a lot of work. Make sure your hosting duties don’t create interference or put you on the sidelines with these tips: Get a jumpstart on party prep. The day before the game, tidy up your space and prepare as much of the food as you can. For dishes best served fresh – like guac – take care of the ingredient prep, like chopping veggies. Create comfortable seating and viewing areas. For a watch party, you’ll want plenty of room for guests to sit comfortably where they can see the screen and have easy access to the guac. If there’s not enough space in the living room to fit everyone, consider bringing a TV to the kitchen so people can snack and watch at the same time. Know your guests. From non-alcoholic beverage options to additional entertainment like board games and kid-friendly activities, become a next-level party host by providing a setup tailored to your guests’ needs. One thing almost everyonecan agree on: Guac made with Avocados From Mexico can be the star of nearly any party’s snacking lineup. Make it your team’s lucky day with more game day recipes at AvocadosFromMexico.com/recipe. 
Good Luck Guac
Recipe courtesy of Rob Riggle on behalf of Avocados From Mexico- 4 Avocados From Mexico, halved, pitted and peeled
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon onion, minced
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch edible gold leaf flakes
- In large bowl, mash avocados until chunky-smooth.
- Fold in lime juice, onion, pomegranate seeds and salt until well combined.
- Garnish with edible gold leaf flakes.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Food and Beverage
Ghirardelli Brings Back the Chocolocket for Valentine’s Day—Now Made for “Perfect Pairs”
Ghirardelli reintroduces the Chocolocket for Valentine’s Day 2026, featuring a pair designed for sharing. This limited edition celebrates all meaningful duos, emphasizing inclusive connections through chocolate and personalized gifting.
Ghirardelli is putting a new spin on Valentine’s Day this year with the return of its viral limited-edition gift: the Chocolocket. The big twist for 2026? Each set includes two Chocolockets—built for sharing with your “perfect pair,” whether that’s your partner, your best friend, your sibling, or the coworker who keeps your week running.
The campaign centers on Perfect Pairs Day, a broader take on the holiday that celebrates the meaningful duos in our lives—romantic and not-so-romantic. Think: work besties, pickleball partners, brunch buddies, squadmates, travel twins, and more.
What is a Chocolocket?
If you missed the first wave, here’s the quick version: the Chocolocket is a custom-crafted 14K gold-plated locketdesigned to hold one mini GHIRARDELLI® SQUARES® inside. The keepsake is styled to resemble Ghirardelli’s iconic gold-foil wrapped SQUARES, turning a familiar candy shape into a wearable, giftable moment.
It’s part novelty, part collectible, and part snack—because yes, it’s literally designed to carry chocolate.
The “Perfect Pairs” idea (and why it works)
Ghirardelli is leaning into a simple truth: the best moments are usually shared. In the brand’s words, the Chocolocket is meant as a playful tribute to the people who make life sweeter—whether that’s a romantic partner or the friend who always shows up.
Bobby Oliver, Ghirardelli’s VP of Marketing, framed it as a celebration of all kinds of connections—best friends, siblings, coworkers, and couples—tying the message back to a classic pairing: chocolate and caramel.
The result is a Valentine’s concept that feels less like a single-lane “couples only” holiday and more like an invitation to include the people who actually fill your calendar.
What comes in the 2026 set
This year’s edition launches as a matching pair of Chocolockets—one for you, one for your person. Each set includes:
- Two Chocolockets (a matching pair)
- A bag of mini Ghirardelli SQUARES® to enjoy together
- A heart-shaped tin
- A personalized message celebrating your “perfect pair” category (examples include Soulmates, Work Besties, Pickleball Partners, Brunch Buddies, Dinner Dates, Squadmates, Travel Twins, and more)
- Shipping included
It’s also limited to one set per household, which signals this is meant to stay in “special drop” territory.
Release date + where to buy
The limited-edition Chocolocket set will be available starting February 10 at Chocolocket.com, while supplies last.
For updates, Ghirardelli is directing fans to follow @Ghirardelli on Instagram and TikTok.
A quick refresher on Ghirardelli
Founded in San Francisco in 1852, Ghirardelli is known for its premium chocolate and its bean-to-bar approach. The company emphasizes control over the full process—from cocoa sourcing through production—using a proprietary bean blend and specific roasting/processing methods.
In other words: the brand’s long-standing quality story is still the backbone, even when the product is a playful, social-media-friendly collectible.
Bottom line
The Chocolocket’s return isn’t just a Valentine’s gimmick—it’s a smart “shareable” product idea that matches how people actually celebrate: with the person who feels like the right fit, whatever the label.
If you’re the type who likes limited drops, keepsakes, or gifts that come with a built-in story, this one’s worth watching when it goes live on February 10.
Related External Links
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
SOURCE Ghirardelli
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