Gastronomy Festival returns for its 5th Edition: A celebration of culture, identity, and culinary excellence

MARIGOT, ST. MARTIN--With just five months to go, preparations are well underway for the fifth edition of the Festival de la Gastronomie, one of St. Martin’s flagship events. Speaking to partners, stakeholders, and members of the community during a recent gathering, President of the Tourist Office Valérie Damaseau reaffirmed the island’s commitment to showcasing its culinary heritage and cultural richness on a global stage. "St. Martin is not just a destination, it's the culinary powerhouse of the Caribbean!"

Set to return with renewed ambition, the 2025 edition of the Gastronomy Festival marks more than just a milestone, it signals a deeper investment in the island’s identity and economic resilience. “This is not just an event,” Damaseau stated. “It is an act of faith in who we are, what we know how to do, and what we have to offer the world.”

Entirely organized by the St. Martin Tourist Office, the festival has grown to become a cornerstone of the island’s cultural and tourism calendar. It highlights St. Martin’s unique fusion of Caribbean, African, European, Indian, and Creole culinary traditions, establishing the island as a true gastronomic capital of the region. “St. Martin is the taste of the world in a single bite,” Damaseau remarked, emphasizing the blending of flavors such as colombo and foie gras, or lambi and Florida lobster.

More than a celebration, the festival also functions as a strategic economic and territorial marketing tool. It supports local businesses, artisans, restaurants, food trucks, and caterers, reinforcing the importance of community involvement and collective pride. “It’s about affirming who we are in a world that pushes uniformity. Our answer is through cuisine,” said Damaseau.

The 2025 edition will feature an international program with a strong local foundation. The emblem for this year’s festival will be the passion fruit, symbolizing both local identity and a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. According to Damaseau, “We are not just building an event, we are establishing a legacy, a collective source of pride, and a territorial landmark.”

Acknowledging the key role of public-private partnerships, Damaseau expressed gratitude to the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, the French State through the Préfecture, and long-standing sponsors for their unwavering support. “This strong public partnership is essential to the sustainability and structure of the festival. It shows that when local forces and institutions work together, we can build meaningful projects with real impact,” she said.

Damaseau also extended thanks to the people of Saint-Martin for embracing the festival and making it their own, as well as to the media, whom she called “the amplifiers of our passion.” She credited their continued involvement with ensuring that “Saint Martin speaks to the world.”

Special recognition was given to the team at the St. Martin Tourist Office. While organizing events is not their primary mandate, Damaseau applauded their creativity, discipline, and commitment to promoting and animating the island as a premier destination.

The Festival de la Gastronomie has become a powerful expression of St. Martin’s art of living, and according to its organizers, the upcoming fifth edition will confirm its role not only as a culinary celebration, but as a defining moment in the island’s cultural and economic trajectory.

‍Picture: All Access with Audrey Jack

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