6 Questions about Barbados’ Food & Wine and Rum Fest w/Chef Paul Yellin.

One of Barbados’ most anticipated events is quickly approaching, bringing with it the sweet flavors of the island.

Visitors to the sun-drenched island of Barbados are in for the treat of their life this November, at Barbados’ second annual Food & Wine and Rum Festival – the culinary event of the season.

In partnership with American Express Publishing’s Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Departures and Executive Travel brands, Barbados unveils the schedule of events for the four-day epicurean extravaganza taking place from November 18 – 21, 2011 at various exquisite settings around the island.

Get ready for sumptuous food by acclaimed Chef and television host Tom Collichio, Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Chef Ming Tsai and Barbados’ very own Rhum Chef Paul Yellin.

Chef Paul Yellin - RHUM CHEF

I recently had the opportunity to “taste de hand” of Culinary master Chef Paul Yellin and I can guarantee that those planning to visit Barbados for this festival is in for a treat.

Here are 6 Answers from the Rhum Chef himself,  Paul Yellin about why you should visit Barbados’ Food, Rum & Wine Festival.

JAY BLESSED: What makes the Barbados’  Food & Wine and Rum Festival experience different from other food festivals around the world?
Paul Yellin:  That’s easy…the incredible location! Barbados is a beautiful country with pristine beaches and clean waters full of a bounty of fresh seafood . There is hundreds of years of history, tradition and pride that makes it a perfect venue for this type of event.

JAY BLESSED: Tell us more about yourself.
Paul Yellin:  Me? I am a rum lover that took it to the next level. I realized no one was really exploring the history involved or depth of flavors available to the variations in rum. I naturally have had the best ingredients to play with, Barbados’ rum, which is some of the highest quality!

JAY BLESSED: Quite modest Sir! You are also known as the Rhum Chef, what are some of your favorite dishes made with Rum?
PAUL YELLIN: I cant narrow down to favorites since I’m always experimenting with new recipes and tweaking older ones, however, I am partial to a Pumpkin & Rum Cheesecake with toasted coconut edges and a Coffee Rum glazed Steak – they are fan favorites!

JAY BLESSED: Ok…I need those recipes for the holidays. What are you looking forward to most for this year’s Food & Wine and Rum Festival?
PAUL YELLIN: I’m looking forward to meeting new people, converting more people to the brilliance of Rum, talking and working with some of the best and the best known chefs of our age and in general – seeing the reaction of people eating what I create.

JAY BLESSED: Five things one must do while at the Food & Wine and Rum Festival.
PAUL YELLIN:
1. Bathsheba / East coast – my favorite place in the world
2. Late night @ Beach House
3. Ambrosia @ Lions Castle
4. Mt. Gay Rum Tour & Tasting
5. Jolly Roger BAR B Cruise

JAY BLESSED: You must have the inside scoop, which celebrities will we be seeing in attendance this year?
PAUL YELLIN: Besides Ming Tsai, Marcus Samuelsson, Tom Colicchio, Mark McEwan, Nilou Motamed, Anthony Giglio and the RUM CHEF – PAUL YELLIN? (Chuckling!) It’s hard to say because in Barbados you never know who might just pop up!

Check out some pictures from the Barbados booth at Travel & Leisure‘s Global Expo held at the Park Avenue Armory, New York City on September 17th.

ABOUT PAUL:
Chef Paul has made a name for himself as The Rhum Chef – the corporate chef for Mount Gay Rum, traveling throughout the Caribbean, as well as, international cities, Berlin, New York, London ,Paris, Washington D.C. and Toronto. He has also been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine. He incorporates Caribbean culture in cusine with a traditional and classic twist – doing cooking demos, cooking classes and rum tastings.  His goal is to be the new face of Rum, as the spirit returns to favorable popularity.

Pick up Paul’s book Infusion! Spirited Cooking with Paul Yellin today.

ABOUT FOOD & RUM AND WINE FESTIVAL:
Hosted by Travel + Leisure’s Features Director & Special Correspondent Nilou Motamed, the Festival which takes place from November 18 – 21, 2011, includes a wide variety of chef demonstrations, tasting events and interactive sessions. Culinary masters at this year’s events include Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai along with Barbadian culinary sensation, “The Rhum Chef” Paul Yellin as well as Food & Wine wine expert Anthony Giglio. International chefs include Mark McEwan and Tom Brodi of Canada, Bruno Loubet from the United Kingdom and Brazilian chef Vitor Gomes who bring their expertise to the Caribbean.

For a full schedule of events, travel help or to learn more about Barbados’ Food & Wine and Rum Festival, click HERE.

“Life did not begin in Barbados, it was just perfected here.”