Chefs in the Spotlight at Village Cay and Rhythm + Sands Festival
Chef Delven Adams of Guyana, known internationally for his Backyard Café in Georgetown, will headline the Village Cay & Rhythm + Sands Food, Wine & Rum Festival in the British Virgin Islands from 17 to 19 October 2025.
Adams, who built his reputation by transforming his backyard in West Ruimveldt into a dining destination, has become a leading voice in Guyanese cuisine. His café is recognised for its intimate setting, where traditional meals are prepared and served in a homely atmosphere. “Food is a story, and every dish tells part of who we are as Guyanese people,” Adams said in an interview following his announcement as one of the festival’s featured chefs.
His approach centres on local ingredients and indigenous traditions, which have earned him international attention. In 2019, Adams collaborated with National Geographic’s Uncharted alongside Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay, introducing global audiences to Guyanese staples such as pepper pot.
The festival, which runs across two venues — Village Cay and Rhythm + Sands — will feature Adams among a line-up of chefs from Barbados, Trinidad, St Lucia, Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands. Organisers said the event will include wine and rum tastings, live entertainment and cultural showcases, with a junior chef competition and fireworks set for the closing night.
Adams said his participation is about more than demonstrating culinary skills. “This is an opportunity to highlight Guyana’s food culture and to connect it with the wider Caribbean,” he said.
The Village Cay & Rhythm + Sands Food, Wine & Rum Festival begins on 17 October with an opening night at Village Cay and concludes on 19 October with a finale featuring a champagne brunch, live competitions and cultural performances.
