Co-host of Taste the Islands TV Show, Cynthia – Chef Thia- Verna, Photo by Richard Lecoin

Enjoy the authentic sights, sounds and flavors of the Caribbean during the 2018 “Taste the Islands Experience” on Saturday, June 2, at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. Food and spirits enthusiasts with a taste for island indulgences will enjoy an all-inclusive evening featuring celebrity cooking demos, an artisan shopping village, live music and more at the second annual celebration to take place on the Riverfront on the lawn of the New River Inn (231 Southwest Second Avenue) from 4 – 10 p.m.

“The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society is thrilled to present this tasteful celebration of all things Caribbean to residents and visitors in Downtown Fort Lauderdale,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. “Our diverse community continues to be shaped by the many cultures, flavors and influences to our south and we are proud to showcase them together at the festive ‘Taste the Islands Experience.’”

Attendees can explore the fine art of Caribbean cooking with celebrity chefs including “Taste the Islands” TV show hosts Cynthia “Chef Thia” Verna of Haiti, Hugh “Chef Irie” Sinclair of Jamaica and Chef Amit Raval, head chef of Amtar Fine Foods in Trinidad. This cadre of culinarians will sample their gourmet Caribbean creations in the “Taste the Islands” Pavilion and will present demonstrations on the event’s main stage.

For an even wider selection of Caribbean fare, Restaurant Row will host 15 local cafes and caterers representing multiple islands, each offering different menu selections while an open bar will serve island specialties. Other flavorful touches include a tropical drink and ice-cream bar and a signature Caribbean Culinary Museum and Culinary Theater, where guests can enjoy an immersive cultural foray into the regions’ histories.

DJs Nickymix and Richie D will create the audial atmosphere taking guests on a musical island journey while the incomparable Steve ‘Sir Rockwell’ Warner will emcee the event. A steel drum band and costumed carnival players will add to the exuberant island atmosphere.

The 2018 “Taste the Islands Experience” is presented by media and production company Island Syndicate whose directors include the visionaries behind the “Taste the Islands” television series and Island Origins Magazine. It is co-presented by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors. Event partners include the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Red Stripe Beer and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Guests visiting from out of town can take advantage of special rates compliments of the Riverside Hotel. Please mention “Taste the Islands” when calling toll free (844) 467-0671, direct (954) 467-0671, or booking through the event website. Exclusive transportation partner Yellow Cab of Broward will ensure that even those who may overindulge can get home safely.

All-inclusive tickets for “Taste the Islands Experience” are $95 advance and $125 at the gate and are available at www.ttiexperience.com. Price includes gourmet and authentic Caribbean food and premium drinks. For more information about the 2018 “Taste the Islands Experience,” please visit www.ttiexperience.com.

About Island Syndicate

Island Syndicate is a media, arts and entertainment company that produces unforgettable events and exceptional content, inspired by the Caribbean. The team offers publishing, video production, photography and other corporate creative services, and is passionate about delivering superior quality to their discerning clients. For more information, please visit www.islandsyndicate.com.

About the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society (FLHS)

For 56 years, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society (FLHS) has brought the stories of our diverse community to life through engaging educational experiences, innovative cultural exhibits, research and preservation of artifacts. Residents and visitors to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city’s rich past that is housed in five historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus – the 1907 King Cromartie House Museum, the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1905 Philemon Nathaniel Bryan House, the 1899 Replica Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida’s foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910-present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints. The FLHS is located at 219 Southwest Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Museum hours are Monday – Friday from noon – 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military and children ages six and under. Group tours are available by request. The FLHS is a nonprofit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions. Click here to donate. For more information, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at www.fortlauderdalehistoricalsociety.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FLLhistory.

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Funding is provided in part by Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council and Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. This organization is sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council of Arts and Culture.