SMEs Profit From Goombay Summer Festival

Food Vendors A Hit With Locals And Tourists

While many locals and visitors loved the music and dancing at Goombay Summer Festival, many patrons were raving about all the mouth-watering Bahamian cuisine served by scores of food vendors.

The 28 vendors came from a pool of caterers vetted through the Ministry of Tourism’s Culinary Department.

At the Goombay Summer Festival site at Arawak Cay there are a number of delectable food choices.

Some of the choices ranged from conch fritters, conch salad, fried and grilled fish, peas n’ rice, baked macaroni and grilled lobster, to sweet treats like homemade ice creams, sorbets, cotton candy and popcorn.

There are also cool drinks like Bahamian bush teas, daiquiris and sky juice.

And while many were delighted by the Bahamian treats, the vendors were equally pleased with the turn out.

Antoinette Glinton of the Batter Girls said many tourists were return visitors to the festival looking particularly for her company.

Batter Girls specialized in conch and shrimp fritters, Cajun lobster or shrimp with fries and sweet cinnamon cranberry ice tea.

“A lot of people seem to like the Batter Girls’ flavor,” she said. “ A lot of people come and order our batter and take it internationally. A lot of people come from off the cruise ships and they ask how it is prepared and when we explain to them how it is prepared, they bring their friends and so it has been very good.”

Jonathan Forbes of Tasty Teas has also been a hit with visitors. 

At this stall, one can get a taste of sour sop tea or a mango and passion fruit tea.

“We are having an awesome time and people are enjoying our flavor and juices. These events are so crucial to small companies. You get a strong viewing base and people will get to see your product and your brand and they find out more about you. There’s lots of American, English and Canadian visitors,” Mr. Forbes said.

“The visitors have been saying that it is some of the best stuff they ever put in their mouth.”

Don Bullard of the Island Cane said he has also gotten a good response from locals and tourists.

“People are getting more into the natural stuff. So they are seeing the cane juice being pressed out in front of them and they know not only is the sugar cane juice natural, but it is also fresh,” he said. 

“I have been a part of the tourism festivals for the last three years now and the crowds have grown to the festivals and they have really given me exposure. Because of this, I have given out a lot of cards and a lot of people call and are placing orders.”

Goombay Summer Festival continues this week at Arawak Cay with lots of competitions, crafts, entertainment, food, music and a Kiddie Corner. 

Gates open at 4:00 p.m.