Taste of St. Croix 2026: A Night of Island Flavors at Divi Carina Bay

The 26th annual Taste of St. Croix made its return to Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort and Casino on Thursday evening — and for those of us who have attended over the years, this year felt like a genuine homecoming.

As reported by The Virgin Islands Daily News, this marked the first time the event has returned to the resort since hurricanes and the pandemic forced it to find a different home years ago.

Taste of St. Croix: Back Where It Belongs

I attended Taste of St. Croix for the first time in a couple of years, and I’ll be honest — I was genuinely happy to see it back inside the Divi. For anyone who remembers when the event was held in the casino parking lot, the upgrade in setting is significant. The pool deck, the open-air stretch of property facing the beach, the evening breeze — it’s the kind of backdrop that lets the food and the community be the star. This is exactly where Taste of St. Croix should be held, and it made the whole night feel more celebratory.

One note worth mentioning: the sargassum on the beach was considerable that evening. It’s a challenge the entire Caribbean continues to navigate, and it was visible from the beachside areas of the venue. It didn’t dampen the energy of the event, but it gives a fair picture of the evening.

Locally Grown, Internationally Known

This year’s theme captured exactly what makes Taste of St. Croix special. Held under the banner of “Locally Grown, Internationally Known,” the event brought together dozens of restaurants and caterers from across the island competing in eight categories: Beverage, Soup and Stew, Vegetarian, Local Fare, Appetizer, Entrée, Dessert, and Presentation.

Hundreds of food lovers turned out dressed for the occasion, moving between tables lining the pool deck and the stretch of property facing the beach. The smell of gumbo, grilled meats, and fresh seafood filled the air. Live music built as the night wore on, and the energy was exactly what you’d hope for — people reconnecting over food and the flavors of this island.

Standouts and Crowd Favorites

One of the longest lines of the night formed at Wokame Island Sushi Bar and Restaurant, where Celebrity Chef Jamal Miranda served a topped-oyster appetizer and a plantain lasagna that had people coming back for more. Gifted Cuisine brought sushi to the lineup, and 1756 Grotto drew steady crowds with its Island Gumbo. The Sweet Fairy made a strong impression with lentil croquettes served alongside mango jalapeño salsa and a breadfruit crisp.

This year’s panel of judges brought a compelling mix of local roots and outside perspective. Abraham Reynolds, a St. Croix native with 48 years of cooking experience, brought deep island knowledge to the table. Diane Brown, whose late mother, Sharon Henry Brown, was a pillar of Crucian cooking, serves as the food director for the V.I. Agricultural and Food Fair. David Weinschel flew in from Virginia, where he operates a vineyard, winery, restaurant, catering company, brewery, and country inn. Tracy Hamlin — Baltimore native, international recording artist, and co-owner of Bayou Nola — rounded out the panel with an eye for presentation and a deep appreciation for cultural cuisine.

“I’m looking for meals that can possibly tell a story,” Hamlin said before the event. “It’s all about culture and vibe, and making sure that we’re tasting the elements of St. Croix.”

Taste of St. Croix 2026 Winners

• Appetizer, Presentation & People’s Choice: Wokame Island Sushi Bar and Restaurant
• Entrée: Chef Ozzie Kitchen
• Dessert: Bleu Chocolat Workshop
• Beverage: St. Croix Cellars
• Soup and Stew: 1756 Grotto
• Vegetarian: Annie’s Catering
• Local Fare: Divi Carina Bay Resort

  

A Mission Worth Supporting

Taste of St. Croix is more than a food festival. It’s a nonprofit whose mission is to promote and connect people within the hospitality, fishing, and farming industries across the island. Since 2001, the organization has donated more than $350,000 to community programs and local organizations — a remarkable contribution to the fabric of St. Croix.

Events like this are a reminder of why so many people fall in love with this island. The community, the culture, the food, and the way life here draws people together — it’s not something you find everywhere.

Explore St. Croix Real Estate

If evenings like Taste of St. Croix have you thinking about making St. Croix home, we’d love to help. Browse our full inventory of homes for sale on St. Croix, or explore our Sea Glass Properties exclusive listings. Whether you’re looking for a beachfront property, a hillside retreat, or an investment opportunity, our team is here to guide you.