Eat, Mangez, Come, Nyam  Caribbean!   JUNE 19-25, 2016 is Caribbean Cuisine Week. Attend Caribbean Cuisine Events, Talks & Workshops in June. (Events) .  Learn about Caribbean foods, drinks & history. Enjoy special menus, distinctive Caribbean dishes at participating restaurants and markets. TASTE – COOK – LEARN- LAUGH

  JUNE 2016 CARIBBEAN FOOD EVENTS

Caribbean Heritage Festival, “Taste of the Caribbean”, Saturday June 4^th, 12 Noon to 7PM, Bladensburg Park Water Front, Blandensburg, MD., 301-322-7497,  Sponsor:  The Caribbean Council of Prince George’s County, http://www.thecaribbeancouncil.org . Event is Free.  Food and other vending charge by vendors.   

Factory Tour of Chocolate from Cocoa single sourced in the Caribbean, Weekends – Spagnvola Chocolatier, 360 Main Street,  Gaithersburg, MD,  Free Factory Tour, reservations needed. Contact: http://www.spangnvola.com

DC Caribbean Film Festival Opening Night – Tasting of Tropical/Caribbean Beverages, June 10^th.  Opening Night Film QUEEN NANNY: Legendary Maroon Chieftainess (Jamaica) w/filmmaker Q&A 7:30pm, VIGILANTE: THE CROSSING (Barbados) 9:30pm. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road,  Silver Spring, MD.  Tickets available at AFI Caribbean Film Festival.  Sponsors: Caribbean Association of World Bank and IMF Staff, Institute of Caribbean Studies, Caribbean Professionals Network, Africa World Now Project.

Past opening nights have introduced film-goers to tastings of Caribbean street foods with a nod to the country show-cased in the film.   This year’s short break, between films from Jamaica and Barbados, will serve up a tasting of beverages unique to the Caribbean which use tropical fruits such as pineapple, guava, grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, June plum and coconut, and roots/ root vegetables such as ginger and carrot.

Introduction to a Traditional Trinidadian Breakfast & Folklore, Sunday, June 12, 11am-2pm, Crown Bakery, 5409 Georgia Ave NW, DC 202-291-3009,  Cost:  $ 20

Caribbean cultures share some breakfast staples  and then there are dishes distinctive to each Island.  Crown Bakery which specializes in Trinidadian foods adds bakes, saltfish, callaloo, coo coo, and buss-up shut (roti) to its all-you-can-eat brunch menu.  Past folklore talks have included Trini-Americans sharing the diversity of their respective heritage—and the impact of the many influences, such as those of the Chinese, East Indian and Africans.

Grace Jerk Festival, Sunday, June 19^th, 12PM to 9PM, Pennsylvania Ave between 12^th & 14^th  Streets NW,  Contact:  WWW.dcjerkfestival.com 718-425.1177, Co-sponsored by the  DC Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs. Tickets Cost:  $20 in advance $30 at gate.  Food and other product vending charge by vendors.

 Grilling with Caribbean Spices & Jerk Seasonings, Thursday, June 23^rd , 6-7:00 pm, Bazaar Spices at Atlantic Plumbing,   2130 Eighth St NW, Washington, DC, 202-379-:  http://www.bazaarspices.com   Cost:  Free

Caribbean Heritage Month Red Carpet Friday – Reggae, Soca & Jerk,  Friday,   June 24th Sandovan Restaurant, 4809 Georgia Avenue  NW, Washington DC 20011, 202-248-2161 , 4pm – 2am.

Sandovan’s  name and menu is not only  a fusion of  its Caribbean and American heritage but also reflects the diversity of its Caribbean heritage.  Sandy (American) and Donovan (East Indian-Jamaican)  and their children have successfully mixed their collective food heritage with traditional Jamaican dishes such as  jerk,  rice & peas with basmati rice complemented by American dishes such as macaroni and cheese and spinach.   Add to this menu is Chef Rox’s signature Caribbean artisanal drinks such as pine ginger and sorrel,  and on Friday, June 24th, a special musical journey throughout the Caribbean. Out of many, one people.