Aruba launches new culinary festival, ‘Autentico’

Taking place between 7 – 13 October, in Wilhelminastraat, downtown Oranjestad, Aruba’s new culinary festival will showcase the diversity and vibrancy of the island’s local cuisine with the culinary offerings ranging from chef demonstrations to fine-dining from the island’s most innovative restaurants. Autentico highlights Aruba’s significant investment in its gourmet experiences and burgeoning restaurant scene. 

The Autentico festival will see the local community and travellers alike come together to experience the island’s melting pot of cultures, sights, smells, and tastes. It will serve as a platform for the island’s chefs to present their unique menus and culinary delights.

With over 102 nationalities on the island, from Dutch to Dominican, the cuisine has influences from across the globe that come together to create a culturally rich food offering that reflects its inhabitants, combining Dutch, Spanish, Caribbean and South American flavours. Award-winning chefs will create mouthwatering fusions using traditional and modern ways of cooking and their finely honed skills will be showcased during Autentico. 

Over recent years the island's high-end culinary scene has flourished, with Michelin-trained chefs creating luxury dining experiences along the pristine beaches. Chef Dennis van Daatselaar has been a key player in Aruba’s food offering, pioneering the original chef's table experience on the island. There are now eight Chef’s Tables to choose from including local chef Urvin Croes’ Aruban Chef’s Table, Infini – offering a 12-dish tasting menu, celebrating local produce and flavours with theatre and style.  

For wine-drinkers, the island’s vineyards are an interesting visit that should not be missed. Though the desert climate and local agriculture is challenging, Alto Vista Winery offers a taste of unique flavours and aromas of the wines grown on Aruba’s special terroir for consumers to enjoy. Additionally, the winery grows sugarcane to produce their renowned Red Star Rum. Visitors can take a trip to the vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting and pairing tour.