The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE sounds of OneRepublic’s biggest hits, the aroma of dishes prepared by Baha Mar’s signature restaurants and the clinking of cocktail glasses set the scene for the Taste of Baha Mar kickoff party, an evening of food, drinks and live entertainment marking the resort’s fifth annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Guests began the evening sampling dishes from across the resort, mingling over handcrafted cocktails and taking photographs at themed photo booths before making their way to the concert grounds for the highly anticipated performance by the American pop-rock band. The event brought together the resort’s culinary offerings and live entertainment, giving attendees an opportunity to experience several of Baha Mar’s dining concepts in one setting.

The food stations featured a variety of dishes, ranging from Italian-inspired fare to Asian cuisine. Among the offerings were eggplant parmesan, farro and vegetable risotto, vidalia-braised short rib ragù, Peking duck served with steamed pancakes, char siu pork and mushroom pan-fried bao, and steamed scallion rolls.

The assortment allowed guests to move between stations and sample different flavours while enjoying drinks and socialising ahead of the concert. The culinary showcase was a central part of the kickoff experience, highlighting the range of dishes available across the resort’s restaurants.

OneRepublic took to the stage for an approximately one-hour performance, delivering some of the band’s best-known songs, including Good Life, Apologize and Counting Stars. The group also performed covers of Beyoncé’s Halo and Adele’s Rumour Has It, adding two familiar hits to its set.

“When I die, I want to come back as Lenny Kravitz,” the band’s frontman, Ryan Tedder, told the crowd, referring to last year’s headliner, before expressing his love for the Caribbean.

The performance drew together guests on the concert grounds, shifting the evening’s focus from dining and socialising to live music. The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival featured several experiences beyond the Taste of Baha Mar event, including interactive chef demonstrations, intimate masterclasses and the fourth annual FUZE Art Expo, a Caribbean art showcase highlighting the region’s creative talent.

The event opened with a performance by Bahamian singer, songwriter Stazzie.

Elsewhere in the resort, Oscar award-winning rapper Common drew a crowd to Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club, where he performed Thursday evening to kick off the festival.

Through its culinary and artistic programming, the festival offered guests opportunities to engage with chefs and artists while exploring the resort’s collection of signature restaurants, bars and other experiences. Now in its fifth year, the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival has become a signature event on Baha Mar’s calendar.