MARIGOT, Saint Martin--Five weeks before the opening of the 2026 Festival de la Gastronomie, the Saint Martin Tourist Office has unveiled the latest details of the sixth edition, which will place coconut at the center of nearly two weeks of culinary events from November 11 to 22.
The program was presented during a dinner at Maison Mère in Orient Bay, winner of the festival’s Gourmet category in 2025. Following passion fruit as last year’s featured ingredient, coconut will take over as the star product for 2026, appearing in dishes ranging from starters to desserts.
“This sixth edition once again celebrates the richness and diversity of Saint Martin’s culinary heritage,” Tourist Office President Valérie Damaseau said during the presentation.
The festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, will once again bring together chefs, mixologists, culinary consultants and other professionals from Saint Martin, the wider Caribbean, France and the United States.
This year’s official patron is Guadeloupean chef Jimmy Bibrac, a Maître Restaurateur and winner of the Grand Concours des régions. Bibrac has led the kitchen at Ô Z’épices for the past 14 years and will be one of the main culinary personalities featured during the festival.
He will be joined by Saint Martin ambassador chefs Amanda Whit, chef at Soualiga Lime, and François Baly, formerly of La Samanna and now working as a private chef.
The festival’s guest chef program continues an approach established during its first edition, when Alain Warth initiated the participation of Michelin-starred and renowned chefs to build the event’s international profile.
That approach remains central to the Tourist Office’s ambition to position Saint Martin as one of the Caribbean’s leading culinary destinations.
“We want to make Saint Martin a culinary destination of reference, so that the Gastronomy Festival serves as a showcase for all our talents,” Damaseau said.
Through its continuing partnership with the Marmiton platform, the festival will welcome Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Viel and food journalist Vincent Ferniot.
Viel is chef at the Hostellerie de la Renaissance in Argentan, Normandy, and has held a Michelin star since 2016, along with three GaultMillau toques. Ferniot is a well-known food journalist who has spent many years working across television and radio.
Other participating chefs include Caribbean chef Jason Peru; Kevin d’Andréa, a finalist on Top Chef 2015 and founder of Foliepop’s; Saint Martin chef and pastry chef Laïla Freedom Agnès; chef and trainer Larissa Jude; and Guadeloupean chef Miguel Jean-Noël.
The barbecue component will again feature Kevin Bludso, Martin Delisle and Thierry Cornuet, also known as “Big T,” who will take part in the festival’s barbecue competition and related activities.
Mixology will also form an important part of the festival. American cocktail and spirits consultant Arthur Sutley will participate alongside Daphnée Sonn, sommelier at Ocean 82 and a specialist in food pairings and mixology.
Additional chefs and culinary professionals are expected to be added as invitations continue to be finalized.
The visiting and local chefs will appear at the festival tables, which will be hosted each evening in a different neighborhood across the island, giving diners an opportunity to experience different areas of Saint Martin alongside the culinary program.
Cooking demonstrations will also return to the Gastronomy Village stage on November 14 and 15, where participating chefs will share techniques, recipes and culinary ideas with the public.
The invited culinary professionals will also serve on judging panels for the festival’s competitions. Local establishments will compete in the Authentic Star, Beach Star, Gourmet Star and City Star categories, while separate competitions will recognize the best dessert.
Two additional competitions are being introduced for the 2026 edition, with awards for the best Johnny Cake and best pizza.
Restaurants that have not yet registered are still being given an opportunity to participate, with the registration deadline extended on an exceptional basis.
The festival activities will begin ahead of the official program with a festive brunch at Loterie Farm on November 8.
The official opening is scheduled for November 10 at 6:00 p.m. on Boulevard de Grand Case, followed by the full festival program from November 11 to 22.
Through its combination of local talent, internationally recognized chefs, competitions, neighborhood dining events, demonstrations and Caribbean flavors, the Tourist Office is positioning the sixth Festival de la Gastronomie as both a celebration of Saint Martin’s food culture and an international showcase for the destination.
