Terms of Reference Carifesta XV (Culinary Arts Coordinator)

Culinary Arts Coordinator

CARIFESTA XV Festival Overview

ARIFESTA XV, the Caribbean Festival of Arts, will take place in Barbados from August 22 to August 31, 2025, under the theme “Caribbean Roots…Global Excellence.” This premier festival will celebrate the vibrancy, creativity, and innovation of Caribbean culture while addressing global challenges such as sustainability, resilience, and peacebuilding. CARIFESTA XV aims to position the Caribbean as a global leader in cultural diplomacy and creative excellence.

Position Summary:  The Coordinator will work closely with event producers, stakeholders, and the Catering Manager, who will oversee food and beverage provisions for delegations, media, and staff.

The Culinary Arts Coordinator will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of all culinary arts components at CARIFESTA XV, ensuring that the festival’s food and beverage programming highlights Caribbean culinary

Scope of Work

The Culinary Arts Coordinator will:

• Curate and manage culinary events showcasing Caribbean cuisine and gastronomic heritage.
• Work with catering solution providers and food vendors to ensure diverse and high-quality food experiences.
• Collaborate with the Catering Manager to support logistics for food service needs of the festival secretariat, delegations, and staff.
• Coordinate live culinary demonstrations, tastings, and all food related events during the festival.
• Liaise with sponsors, partners, and media to promote culinary programming.

Culinary Arts Events at CARIFESTA XV

The Culinary Arts Coordinator will oversee the following events:

• A Sunday Food (August 24) – A celebration of traditional Caribbean Sunday lunch featuring regional dishes.
• Sustainability by the Sea (August 24) – Beachside cooking showcasing sustainable seafood and traditional roasting techniques.
• Pot Turn Down (August 29) – A large-scale street food festival celebrating Caribbean flavors.
• Grand Market and Trade Hub (August 23-30) – A culinary village featuring food vendors and cultural food showcases.
• Country Nights (August 23-29) – Collaborate with national delegations to present country-specific food offerings.

Candidate Qualifications and Competencies

The ideal candidate should have:

• A degree or certification in Culinary Arts, Event Management, Hospitality, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in event planning, culinary programming, or hospitality management.
• Strong knowledge of Caribbean cuisine, food culture, and sustainability practices.
• Experience working with chefs, caterers, and vendors in large-scale events.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and sustainable catering practices.

Duration of Contract

• March – September 2025

Key Deliverables and Milestones

• March – April 2025: Develop a comprehensive culinary arts programming plan.
• May – June 2025: Confirm participation of chefs, caterers, and food vendors; finalize logistics.
• July 2025: Conduct pre-festival workshops, media engagements, and promotional activities.
• August 2025: Oversee the execution of all culinary events and coordinate with the Catering Manager.
• September 2025: Submit post-event evaluation and recommendations for future culinary programming.

Application Process:

📅Application Opens: February 10, 2025
📅Application Closes: March 05, 2025

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to Kim Butcher at Kim-butcher@ncf.bb.