Hosted at the iconic Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas, the highly anticipated fifth iteration of the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival officially launched with a vibrant, high-energy kickoff celebration dubbed Taste of Baha Mar, drawing hundreds of local residents and international visitors for an evening of immersive gastronomy, live music and social connection. The air at the opening event hummed with the familiar chart-topping melodies of multi-platinum pop-rock band OneRepublic, mixed with the rich, fragrant aromas of gourmet dishes prepared by Baha Mar’s award-winning signature restaurant teams and the soft clink of artisanal cocktail glasses as attendees mingled across the sprawling event space.
Guests began their night wandering between curated food stations spread across the venue, sampling a diverse global spread that spanned multiple culinary traditions: savoury Italian eggplant parmesan, creamy farro and vegetable risotto, slow-cooked vidalia-braised short rib ragù, alongside authentic Asian offerings including crisp Peking duck served with delicate steamed pancakes, sweet and savoury char siu pork and mushroom pan-fried bao, and fluffy steamed scallion rolls. Between tasting portions, attendees posed for photos at whimsical themed booths, sipped handcrafted tropical cocktails and connected with fellow food and culture enthusiasts before making their way to the open-air concert grounds for the evening’s headline performance.
Before OneRepublic took the stage, local Bahamian singer-songwriter Stazzie delivered a warm, well-received opening set that celebrated homegrown Caribbean talent, setting a joyful tone for the rest of the live music lineup. When the American pop-rock group stepped up to the mic, they delivered a tight, 60-minute hit-packed set that included fan favourites *Good Life*, *Apologize* and *Counting Stars*, alongside crowd-pleasing covers of Beyoncé’s *Halo* and Adele’s *Rumour Has It* that had the entire audience singing in unison. Frontman Ryan Tedder playfully told the cheering crowd, “When I die, I want to come back as Lenny Kravitz,” referencing the festival’s 2023 headliner, before gushing about his deep affection for the Caribbean’s culture and warmth.
Parallel to the main Taste of Baha Mar festivities, Oscar-winning rapper and actor Common drew a packed crowd to Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club at the resort for a special intimate Thursday night performance that served as an additional anchor for the festival’s opening programming. Beyond the kickoff celebration, the full five-day event lineup includes hands-on interactive chef demonstrations, exclusive small-group culinary masterclasses, and the fourth annual FUZE Art Expo, a dedicated showcase that elevates emerging and established creative talent from across the Caribbean region. Now in its fifth year, the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival has cemented its status as a flagship annual signature experience for Baha Mar, blending world-class dining, A-list live entertainment and regional cultural celebration to draw tourists and support local creative industries.