2024 Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival

March 19, 2024

2024 Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival

Wine and food festivals are an excellent way to gather culinary experts, spirits producers, vendors, and consumers, so they could meet and exchange ideas and experiences.

Last week, I participated in the second annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival in the Bahamas. It was held at Atlantis Paradise Island, an oceanside resort and home of the world's largest open-air marine habitat. The five day event was presented by Atlantis and featured tastings, wine pairings, culinary demonstrations and classes, happy hours, and meals led by various experts including Nobu Matsuhisa, Michael White, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, and others. While there, I hosted two events - a sunset cocktail hour and dinner and a mid-afternoon garden party luncheon.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: I hope you caught my recent post on Instagram @MarthaStewart48. I just returned from a brief business trip to the Bahamas! Here I am with one of the dolphins at Dolphin Cay, a world-class marine habitat, focused on creating a safe and sophisticated environment for dolphins and other species at Atlantis.

: If you’ve never been, the Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean. My niece, Sophie Herbert Slater, who accompanied me on the trip, took this photo as we neared our sunny destination.

: This was the second annual wine and food festival. Proceeds from the event support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, dedicated to saving marine life and its habitats throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean seas.

: The five-day affair was held at Atlantis Paradise Island, a lush and exclusive resort now celebrating its 25th anniversary. It includes Aquaventure, one of the world’s largest waterparks, five unique lodging options,more than 40-restaurants, bars and lounges, an award-winning 18-hole golf course and sports center, the marine-habitat, and more.

: Here I am with Lee Schrager, the festiival’s co-director. You may recognize him from another iconic wine and food event – Lee is the mastermind of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

: On our first day, we had some time to visit with some of the marine life on the island.

: There are many sea creatures that call the area home including starfish.

: Underwater tanks allowed us to see some of the 250 marine species here at Atlantis.

: This sandy, shallow lagoon is home to young stingrays.

: We also saw this sea turtle.

: … And this black-tipped reef shark.

: Later in the evening, I hosted a ‘Sunset Soiree’ followed by a wine dinner. Wait staff greeted guests with refreshments.

: Here are some of the wines served at the soiree, including of course – 19 Crimes Martha’s Chard.

: After the soiree and before dinner, I participated in a short interview with radio and television host, Billy Bush – I brought the wine.

: Don’t forget, “work hard, play hard, and drink Martha’s Chard.”

: Here is a giant sand culture made for the event.

: The weather was perfect during our stay – sunny skies and the clearest views of the ocean.

: The next day, I hosted a garden luncheon. Here I am with Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director of Atlantis Paradise Island. I am wearing an Oscar de la Renta dress.

: Here’s Chef Alon Shaya at Silan, his new restaurant at Atlantis. He is holding his book, “Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel: A Cookbook.”

: And just before leaving, we made one last stop at the famous McKenzie’s Conch Shack to experience the Bahamas’ most authentic flavors. Kenneth McKenzie has been making his delicious dishes for 35-years and is among the favorites here on Paradise Island – one must try his conch salad.