Celebrity Chefs Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love to Headline November Festival

New York, NY (May 24, 2010) – In partnership with Travel + Leisure, FOOD & WINE, Departures and Executive Travel magazines, the Barbados Tourism Authority today unveils November 19-22, 2010 as the dates for its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival. The four-day epicurean festival will feature culinary masters Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love who will travel to the Caribbean island of Barbados to provide first-hand cooking demonstrations and sessions for locals and visitors alike. Full festival details and travel packages to be announced in early June.

The culinary capital of the Caribbean and the only Caribbean island to be Zagat-rated, Barbados provides an ideal epicurean stop for the coveted Food & Wine festival which will be hosted by Travel + Leisure magazine’s Features Editor Niloufar Motamed and will have wine seminars curated by Ray Isle, FOOD & WINE wine editor and wine expert Anthony Giglio.

In addition, celebrity chef and head judge on Bravo’s hit reality cooking series “Top Chef” Tom Colicchio will be joined by culinary superstars Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love, as well as local Barbadian culinary talent bringing their collective expertise to the masses through chef demonstrations, tasting events and interactive sessions.

“The Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival provides an ideal platform to showcase our island’s gastronomic excel-lence,” said David M. Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “We are honored to partner with American Express Publishing and to welcome some of the industry’s leading chefs and wine experts to our beautiful island to participate in this world-class culinary event.”

The eastern-most of the Caribbean islands, and situated outside the traditional hurricane belt, Barbados was formed by the collision of the Atlantic crystal and Caribbean plates, which created a volcanic eruption to create this country of contrasts; from serene Caribbean waters and coral beaches for sunbathers and swimmers to an Atlantic coastline ideal for surfers and sailors. A truly authentic Caribbean destination, mixing European sophistication and culture with nature and heritage sites, culinary excellence, and romance, offering small and affordable guest houses, luxurious villas, all-inclusive resorts, family-friendly hotels, and boutique escapes – there is definitely something for everyone in Barbados.

June 28, 2010 Press C

onference announcing the launch of the newest festival

to the tourism calendar. D

avid Rice, P

resident & C

EO

of Barbados T

ourism

Authority and V

ice President of A

merican E

xpress Travel, E

ric Davis.