The 5th annual Spice Island Cultural Festival, which took place from July 8 to July 10, was a celebrat in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
. The 2022 festival, staged by the Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec (SICDAQ) “Grenada! A Culinary Delight” was a tremendous success with over 3,000 Montrealers celebrating after three years of lock-down.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, brought warm greetings by video and letters to festival goers. They published in Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine and on SICDAQ’s social media.
“By acting collaboratively, intelligently, and creatively, you have established a cultural festival that will bring together members of Grenada’s diaspora community from across Canada and beyond.
You should all be very proud of your efforts. Your inclusivity and assiduousness will allow Canadians to learn more about Grenada and all it has to offer the world,” he stated .
Hon. Ron Livingston Redhead, Grenada’s Minister of State with responsibility for Youth & Sports, within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture, read by the Honorary Consul for Grenada in Montreal, Mr. Theodore H. Blaize.
“We are thankful to the Spice Isle Cultural Day Association in Quebec, vendors, media, other collaborators, and you the community, for creating this Cultural Festival – Grenada, A Culinary Delight. May this be the most successful festival yet, and may it continue to create the foundation for increasing our cultural and culinary presence in Canada. We at home and elsewhere, continue to follow online, sharing in the experience,” he stated.
Executive Chef Belinda Bishop and sous-chef Miguel Paul Mitchell, along with the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) “Young Chef” winner, Karim Doyle, came from Grenada and cooked everything Grenadian inspiring audiences to enjoy the culinary delights of the island.
Other chefs who tantalized the taste buds of guests over the weekend included executive chef Anthony Mair, president of the Grenada Culinary Network, executive chef Lennox Antoine of Island Flava Restaurant in Ottawa, and executive chef Leo Charles, owner of Greenz Restaurant.
On July 9 Vinet Park in Little Burgundy came alive with food, music of Grenada and the Caribbean.
Local restaurants, chefs and caterers Including Boom J’s, Owen the Seafood Man, Faye Rodney Catering, Greenz Restaurant, Kreme Nido, Andrea Juices, Just Pure Ltd, a well-stoced bar and Caribbean desserts of every kind, some coming directly from Grenada, made the tastings exceptional.
Also the Marketplace featured vendors such as art display by Donna Farray, beauty products by Des Hair Care, books by Grenadian authors, along with spices by Island Spice.
Several businesses were also on hand including Century 21 Grenada and Republic Bank Grenada, Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) Canada from the Spice Island as well BMO Bank of Montreal, Gem’s Tea and Badshaw Services.
This year, several of the festival’s headline artistes from Grenada did not make it to Montreal due to vaccination issues as well problems getting Canadian visas. However, it gave SICDAQ a chance to showcase some young and upcoming Grenadian artists based in Toronto, such as Bonifide and Kyng Moses together with the veteran Kenny C.
Local performers such as Caribbean Voices, Jab Jab Orchestra, Teenage singer Paris, Reggae star MelloG, the Spice Island Kids, Salah Pan and others also graced the festival stage.
President of the Spice Island Cultural Association of Quebec, Mr. Byron Cameron and vice-president, Gemma Raeburn-Baynes extend special “thank yous” to sponsors such as The Grenada Tourism Authority, the Government of Grenada, CTV, City of Montreal, Century21 Grenada, Republic Bank Grenada, Cannes Brûlėes Rum Distilleries, The Grenada Culinary Network, BMO Bank of Montreal, TNKR Media and Montreal Community Contact .
The festival team also extends special thanks to all Montrealers for their support and is looking forward to Celebration 2023.
“GRENADA-A CULINARY DELIGHT” FEATURED AT THE SUCCESSFUL SPICE ISLAND CULTURAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND.
