Street Food Festival - a delicious delight aroma, taste and culture

By Christopher Tobut

The air was full of the aroma of food – glorious food at this year’s Cayman Islands Street Food Festival in Cardinal Avenue. It was a fantastic, fun and foodilicious event which added to Cayman’s status as the culinary hub of the Caribbean.

If you want to sample the very best street food from around the world – the best way is surely Cayman’s Street Food Festival.

Smokies are well-known Known for their delicious smoked meats and BBQ dishes. Their menu features a variety of smoked meats, including pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, often accompanied by classic sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and fresh vegetables. The inspiration behind Smokies’ cuisine is rooted in traditional American barbecue, with a focus on slow-cooked, smoked meats that are tender and flavorful. They also incorporate local Caribbean influences, which can be seen in some of their unique dishes like breadfruit tacos

Cocopimento is all about fusion-flavors – they blend Caribbean spices with international cooking techniques, resulting in a diverse menu that includes everything from spicy jerk chicken to delicate seafood ceviche. Fresh and Local -emphasizing sustainability, CocoPimento sources many of their ingredients locally, thereby ensuring that their dishes are fresh, and support the local economy.

Cabana Served a variety of tropical cocktails and light bites

Caboose is a gourmet smokehouse foodie’s delight. They offer classic American-style BBQ with a Caribbean twist. The menu includes mouthwatering smoked brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and smoked local chicken. They also have vegetarian options like jerk tofu. All meats are responsibly sourced and marinated to perfection, and they use local sweet wood for smoking.

Busside Cafe specializes in authentic local Caribbean dishes served buffet-style. The menu features a variety of seafood options like fried whole snapper, steamed mahi-mahi, and fish tea. They also offer traditional Caymanian dishes such as oxtail and curry chicken seemed very popular

NYCP (New York Pizza Company) is known for its New York-style pizzas and calzones. They offer a wide range of pizza toppings and styles, including classic margherita, pepperoni, and specialty pizzas.

D’nice offers a variety of Caribbean and Jamaican street food. The menu includes popular items like jerk chicken, curry goat, and oxtail. They also serve traditional Jamaican patties, fried plantains, and rice and peas.

Dulce focuses on sweet treats and desserts. Their menu features a wide range of pastries, cakes, and confections. Popular items include cupcakes, cookies, and specialty cakes for various occasions89.

Turkish BBQ serves traditional Turkish kebabs and grilled meats.

Gelato & Co: Offered a variety of gelato flavors and Italian desserts. Murph’s are  Known for their gourmet burgers and fries.

Curry in a Hurry offers a delightful array of Indian cuisine, perfect for those craving a quick yet flavorful meal. Biryanis: Options include Paneer Tikka Biryani, Egg Biryani, Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, and Lamb Biryani. They offer combo meals, Lamb specials like Lamb Saag, Madras Lamb Curry, Lamb Kadhai, and Lamb Vindaloo. Chicken Specials include Chicken Korma, Chicken Saag, and Butter Chicken.

Jae’s Food Vault: Provided a mix of international street food favorites.

Renda’s is known for its delightful Asian-inspired dishes in the Cayman Islands. They offer a variety of flavors that reflect the rich diversity of Asian cuisine. Some of their popular dishes include: Sushi and Sashimi: Fresh and beautifully presented, perfect for sushi lovers. Renda’s combines traditional Asian cooking techniques with local ingredients, creating a unique and delicious dining experience.

Fiayah Kitchen is the name of an exciting new hot sauce company – they make a range of remarkable hot and tasty sauces, - sourcing them with local ingredients thereby supporting local farmers.

But it wasn’t only food – there was plenty of great live music, too. some of the performers who entertained the crowd including The Caymanian All Stars,  Island Vibes Band, Tropical Rhythm, DJ Breezy and Steel Pan Sensation.