The third edition of the Authentic Aruba Culinary Festival made gastronomy the protagonist of a celebration that brought together local flavors, international proposals and culinary experiences around the cultural diversity of the Caribbean island.
The meeting, promoted by the Aruba Tourism Authority, aims to strengthen the gastronomic identity of the destination and expand its appeal beyond its well-known beaches.
Held from October 3 to 11, the festival featured a program that included special restaurant menus, exclusive experiences, professional meetings and educational activities, in the colorful center of Oranjestad.
More than 50 food and beverage exhibitors participated in the gastronomic exhibition that offered a wide variety of culinary proposals in a festive atmosphere. The event was also attended by international figures in gastronomy, including chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Virgilio Martínez, as well as cocktail expert Luca Cinalli.
The festival highlighted cuisine as an expression of the identity of Aruba, an island whose gastronomic tradition reflects the confluence of cultures, ingredients and customs. Through tastings, demonstrations and interactive activities, the experience brought the public closer to the flavors of the territory and those who contribute to keeping its culinary tradition alive.
The traditional gastronomy of Aruba, marked by the mixture of Caribbean, Dutch and Latin American influences, constitutes one of the great attractions of Auténtico. Among the island’s emblematic dishes are keshi yena, a baked cheese filled with meat and spices; funchi, made with corn flour; bati bread, a traditional pancake that accompanies fish dishes; and pan bun, a bread dessert. These recipes represent a culinary heritage that local cooks keep alive, while exploring new techniques and presentations.
An alliance between gastronomy and tourism
For Aisling Seberry, Director of Sales and Marketing at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, the collaboration between the hotel sector and the Aruba Tourism Authority constitutes an opportunity to publicize the island’s gastronomic wealth.
“We have an excellent relationship with the Aruba Tourism Authority, and this event is held once a year,” Seberry explained in an interview with DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS.
The executive pointed out that the meeting allows restaurants to present their proposals for two nights, bringing their offer closer to those who wish to discover new flavors.
“I consider it an extraordinary opportunity for those who visit the island for a short time, but want to enjoy and discover what Aruba has to offer from a culinary point of view,” he said.
His perspective reflects one of Auténtico’s central purposes: integrating gastronomy into the tourist experience and offering travelers a way to connect with local culture through the table.
Aruba, a destination that invites you to return
Seberry’s experience in the hotel industry has also allowed him to experience different destinations. With 22 years of experience at Marriott, her career has taken her from her native Ireland to Puerto Rico, Asia and, finally, Aruba, an island of which the warmth of its inhabitants stands out.
“I would say that Aruba has probably been the place where I have felt most at home. I like to say that the island welcomes you with open arms and makes you feel that you are in a safe place, from which you never want to leave, commented the board.
For Seberry, Aruba’s appeal isn’t limited to sun and sand. The hospitality of its inhabitants is also an essential element for visitors to enjoy their stay and want to return.
“Aruba is known as One Happy Island, and it is really its inhabitants who make visitors feel welcome and want to return,” he said.
According to the executive, the destination’s recurring guest rate is around 52%, a figure that, in her opinion, demonstrates the bond that many travelers establish with the island.
Regarding accommodation, the executive highlights the variety of experiences offered by Aruba Marriott, a 414-room complex located in Palm Beach, on the island’s northwest coast.
“We have a little bit of everything at our hotel,” Seberry said when describing the facilities, which include an adults-only pool, designed for those seeking tranquility and relaxation, and another recreational pool for families, children and adults.
The latter has a swim-up bar, where guests can order drinks and food without leaving the water. The resort also features 13 food and beverage outlets and Tradewinds, an adults-only experience that offers a separate lounge and private beach area.
According to Seberry, these options satisfy couples, families or groups of friends who want to enjoy their vacation to the fullest.
A special dinner with Marcus Samuelsson
Among the experiences that accompanied the third edition of Auténtico, the special dinner starring chef Marcus Samuelsson at the Aruba Marriott stood out.
The evening offered another dimension of the festival by transferring its commitment to gastronomy to a more intimate experience, in which the kitchen became a meeting point between international talent and Aruba’s culinary offering.
The participation of the Aruba Marriott in Auténtico shows that the hotel sector plays an important role in connecting tourism with culture and gastronomy.
Nature, rest and experiences for everyone
Beyond gastronomy, Aruba offers natural attractions and recreation options for different traveler profiles.
For those who visit the island for the first time, Nataly Wever, marketing and communications manager of the hotel, recommends visiting the Arikok National Park, where you can do various activities and discover landscapes.
It also invites you to visit the Baby Natural Bridge area, a natural rock formation from which you can contemplate the ocean and enjoy the beauty of the Aruban coastline. The bridge collapsed in 2005.
The destination is worth exploring, although lounging at the hotel by the pool or swimming on the beach would also be a great alternative.
If you choose not to rest, choose to combine a land tour and a sea tour. This way you can appreciate the contrast between desert or semi-arid vegetation and the turquoise blue of crystalline waters. Unlike other Caribbean islands, cacti abound in Aruba.
Aloe vera or aloe vera is also abundant and is one of the most important symbols of the island, so much so that they have dedicated a tour to learn about the medicinal properties of the plant. Free tours are offered to the Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum, where you can observe the hand-harvesting process and manufacturing of skin care products.
Although Arubans live an eternal summer and the island’s climate is ideal to enjoy it in any season, visiting it in October during Auténtico week is ideal for lovers of good gastronomy.
With its third edition, the festival reaffirms Aruba’s commitment to positioning its cuisine as one of the attractions of its tourist offer, while opening spaces for exchange between professionals, the development of local talent and the dissemination of a diverse culinary identity.
