Cayman Summer: Foodie Events in July 2022

Summer break has officially begun and that typically means less visitors arriving to island and more residents are headed abroad.  If you plan to be here for the summer, like me, then you will need activities to keep you busy, especially if its  food related.  Here are my foodie event recommendations in July 2022.

The temperature outside doesn’t affect the popularity of the annual King of Wings competition.  The CI$15 entrance fee includes a sampling card for every station and once you have tried them all you can vote for your favourite chicken wing.  The winning team will take home a CI$1000 cash prize, trophy, and of course bragging rights for the year.  This event always has delicious wings by both amateur and professional chefs, where some stick to the classics while others push the boundaries with their creativity.  The event takes place from 12-3pm on July 24^th on the grassy park located at Seven Mile Beach. 

Ever explored the QEII Botanic Park under the full moon?  You’ll get that opportunity if you attend the upcoming Chellamella Dinner on July 13^th.  This monthly experience is extraordinary because it features a hyper local and regional menu by Chef Jack Barwick and Chef Gaia Tomasin, plus friendly and efficient front of house service by Ryan Reed.  The evening begins with a welcome cocktail and chance to mingle around the park, followed by a six-course farm-to-table dinner with selected wines.  The menu is always evolving, but when I went I loved the locally cured meats, torched mahi mahi and banana bread with Milo ice cream.  Even though their dinners are always fantastic, this night is particularly unique because you can roam around the park before and after dinner, climb to the top of a 3-storey tower and see the full moon through a telescope perched on top.  Tickets are CI$200 and seating is limited to just 15 people, so reserve your spot early by emailing them at chellamella.info@gmail.com.

Cracked Conch is hosting their annual event that focuses on everyone’s favourite tropical fruit, mangoes.  This year The Mango Dinner will take place on July 16^th and includes welcome canapés and cocktails, followed by a six-course mango themed dinner with wine pairings.  I’ve read through the menu and it sounds wildly innovative with dishes that include an octopus carpaccio with mango pearls, mango glazed foie gras pop and venison on a truffle mango risotto.  Not only can you experience this mango centric menu at their stunning seaside restaurant, but there will be live music by Agouti Stew and Chris Sanchez.  The cost is CI$175 and tickets can be purchased on EventPro’s website.

Already listed on my Cayman’s Best Epicurean Theme Nights is Somm Stand-off at Agua and lucky for us the 2022 Finale is taking place on July 21^st.  The finale contenders that will battle it out are Adam Slobodian of Jacques Scott against Gustavo Varela Rojas of The Marriott.  The evening begins with welcome champagne and canapés on the deck before guests move inside the restaurant to watch the competition unfold.  The chefs at Agua prepare a 5-course meal and both competitors will choose the best wine pairing for each of the four main courses (i.e. a total of 8 glasses of wine!).  The wine from each competitor is randomly assigned as “A” and “B” and guests will vote for their favourite wine pairing for each course.  The winner of each round is announced after every course, and it tends to be close when you have two talented sommeliers competing.  Ultimately, the diners will choose the winner of Somm Stand-off 2022 and always have a good time doing so.  This event always sells out, but if you hurry you can buy tickets via the EventPro website for CI$173. 

Anchor & Den at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort is known for hosting global theme nights attended by Cayman residents and their hotel guests.  This month The Anchor & Den Express will transport diners across India and highlight regional cuisine of cities like Mumbai and New Delhi.  On July 23^rd the next “stop” for this train will be in northeastern India and the ancient city of Patna.  You can expect an array of aromatic dishes including eggplant choka, paratha, vegetable pulao, dahi bara and so much more.  To reserve your table email them at hello@anchorandden.com.  This specialty event takes place from 6-10pm and costs CI$45 plus gratuities.

The Flavour Tour in Camana Bay is back and it’s the best way to explore the variety of eateries in this area in one go.  The relaunch will take place on the 27^th July for the first time in two years and it will be hosted on the last Wednesday of every month.  Alongside a guide, diners will walk to five restaurants across the property to sip on cocktails and taste a dishes representative of that place.  To ensure it stays fresh the tour will change every month with new menus and new restaurants being added to the roster, such as UNION, Tomfoodery, Pane & Pasta and more.  Groups range between 10-20 people and tickets cost CI$100 for the roughly 2.5 hour tour.  Visit EventPro’s website to purchase tickets and learn which restaurants are on the tours for July, August and September. 

In the mood for some authentic Spanish cuisine?  Visit Ave at the Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa for their entertaining and delicious theme night known as Pinxtos & Paella.  This weekly event is on my Cayman’s Best Epicurean Theme Nights list because it has a filling buffet-style spread, discounted bottles of wine and entertainment in the form of live music and flamenco dancers.  The evening starts at 6pm and the cost is CI$58 for adults and CI$27 for kids (plus gratuities).  Reserve your table by emailing them at restaurantreservations@seafireresortandspa.com.

Hopefully these tasty events will keep you satisfied throughout the month of July.  I’ll be back in August to give you the rundown on more of my favourite foodie events.

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