Friday, September 3 2010

THIS MONTH will see the first Trinidad Rum Festival — Angostura’s first festival to celebrate the diversity of rum and its rapidly growing popularity. Whether you are a beverage enthusiast, rum connoisseur, or just want to understand the history of rum and the role this industry has played in our island’s development, the Angostura Rum Festival, an adult social occasion, will have something for you.

Over three days next week, visitors to the festival at the House of Angostura, Eastern Main Road, Laventille, will discover many fascinating facts about rum and taste Trinidad’s finest rums in drinks and food. Visitors will be able to experience the wonderful and diverse flavours that the popular drinks have to offer, as well as try some of the company’s famous signature rum cocktails.

Speaking at the launch of the event last month, Angostura CEO, Wayne Yip Choy said: “It is a chance to get into the festive spirit and discover many fascinating facts about rum, which is part of our history and ingrained into the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Throughout the festival, visitors will view rum exhibits, tour the distillery, meet the Master Distiller and taste drinks and food made with local rum. Those who are eager to become cocktail aficionados may visit the cocktail bar and attend the Cocktail mixing competition on September 11.

For the more adventurous cooks and budding chefs, Wendy Rahamut will be teaching everything there is to know about creating divine gourmet dishes with rum. Because rum is so much a part of their tourism culture, students and teachers from the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute will also show patrons what they can do with rum in food.

Visitors may purchase rum from the Shoppe in Angostura, to continue the rum experience at home and share some new drink ideas with their friends. White and dark rums; standard and premium rums; will all be available.

There will be daily sampling of select rum products and cocktails prepared by award winning professional mixologist Raymond Edwards.

The Angostura Rum Festival takes place from next Thursday to Saturday. The schedule of events is as follows: