Chefs in the Spotlight at Village Cay and Rhythm + Sands Festival
The British Virgin Islands is set to become the region’s culinary hotspot when the Village Cay & Rhythm + Sands Food, Wine & Rum Festival kicks off October 17–19, 2025. The three-day festival will showcase world-class wines, premium rums, live entertainment, and the talents of some of the Caribbean’s most celebrated chefs and mixologists. Among the featured talent is Damian Leach, the award-winning executive chef of Cocktail Kitchen in Barbados, who has built an international reputation for excellence in Caribbean cuisine.
Leach began cooking at 13 and later trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Canada, earning Le Grand Diplôme before returning to Barbados to hone his craft. Over the years he has earned multiple honors, including Barbados Chef of the Year, NIFCA Chef of the Year, and the prestigious CHTA Caribbean Chef of the Year title at the Taste of the Caribbean competition in Miami. His accolades continued with victories in Seafood Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, and “The Gine On” Chef of the Year, while in 2024 he led Barbados’ national culinary team to a Gold medal as their coach.
Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to experience Leach’s culinary artistry firsthand during the weekend’s brunch showcases and evening dining events. He will be joined by chefs from Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Lucia, and the British Virgin Islands, creating a dynamic lineup that reflects the full range of Caribbean flavor and creativity. Alongside the chefs, master mixologists and international wine and rum connoisseurs representing global brands will present tastings and demonstrations throughout the weekend.
The festival opens Friday, Oct. 17, at Village Cay with wine and rum tastings, gourmet bites, and live entertainment. Saturday, Oct. 18, shifts to Rhythm + Sands for cooking workshops, showcases, and live Caribbean jazz, before the night heats up with The Fish Fête hosted by YOLO Promotions. On Sunday, Oct. 19, the finale brings a champagne brunch, chef competitions, fireworks, and a cultural grand finale.
For Leach, the event is another platform to highlight Caribbean culinary excellence on the international stage while sharing his passion for food and innovation with festival audiences. His journey from a teenage kitchen enthusiast to one of the region’s most decorated chefs mirrors the festival’s mission: to celebrate the creativity, talent, and culture that make the Caribbean a global force in food and entertainment.
