St. Maarten and St. Martin Prepare Joint Team for Taste of the Caribbean 2026
Island delegation returns to regional competition
Culinary professionals from St. Maarten and St. Martin are preparing to compete at Taste of the Caribbean in Barbados in November 2026. The delegation will represent both sides of the island together, marking a return to the competition as a joint team for the first time since 2017, according to the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), l’Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau.
Organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Taste of the Caribbean has brought culinary professionals from across the region together since 1993. Following a pause related to the pandemic, the competition returned in 2024 with a revised format.
Renata De Weever leads team preparations
Renata De Weever, who coached the island’s successful 2017 delegation, is leading preparations for the upcoming competition. Training began this week, with practice sessions scheduled over the coming weeks.
De Weever has advised participants to rely on their existing skills and recipes rather than become overwhelmed by the competition’s pace and media attention.
“In the end, it’s about sticking to your core experience and the recipes you believe in. Taste is what prevails in this competition—don’t overcomplicate it,” she said.
The complete roster for 2026 has not yet been announced.
Fundraising and travel support
The delegation’s participation follows several years of planning and fundraising. On the Dutch side, the annual St. Maarten Flavors culinary month has helped raise money toward the costs of sending the team to Barbados.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with the tourism organizations on both sides of the island, with support from Club du Tourisme. Winair is also supporting the delegation’s travel to the competition.
Culinary events coincide in November
The competition will take place during the same month as the Festival de la Gastronomie on the French side of the island. Aïda Weinum, Director of l’Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, welcomed the opportunity to promote the island’s culinary scene through both events.
“We are elated to work together to spread the word about the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.’ With the Festival de la Gastronomie and ‘Taste’ in one month, we look forward to a truly gastronomic November!” she said.
May-ling Chun of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau said the competition also offers an opportunity to highlight local culinary talent and encourage younger professionals.
“We are proud to see St Maarten / St. Martin return to Taste of the Caribbean as one team, celebrating the flavors, talent and shared passion of our island. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our culinary heritage and inspire the next generation of chefs and bartenders,” Chun said.
Building on the 2017 team’s experience
The 2017 delegation included team captain Dino Jagtiani, chefs Pieter Holstein, Ronald Estephane and David Cudicio, junior chefs Suzy Adoptie and Mrinal Wadhwa, and team member Justin Assendelft.
De Weever’s return as coach connects the upcoming delegation with that earlier competition experience.
What the competition means for St. Maarten
For St. Maarten, participation offers an opportunity to showcase local culinary talent to a wider Caribbean audience. A joint delegation also highlights cooperation between the Dutch and French sides of the island, while giving participating professionals a chance to represent their culinary skills beyond the local market.
Those interested in sampling the team’s creations before the competition can register by contacting events@shta.com.
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