Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (July 25, 2012) – Grace Bay Resorts, in partnership with the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and The Wine Cellar, proudly announces Chef John DeLucie’s participation in the Second Annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, taking place November 1-3, 2012.  DeLucie, chef and owner of The Lion in the West Village and Crown on the Upper East Side, has become one of New York City’s most sought after chefs over the past decade, making him an ideal fit for this year’s three-day festival.

“I am truly delighted to be a part of the Second Annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival in Turks and Caicos this fall,” says Chef John DeLucie. “The culture, cuisine and stunning atmosphere of the islands are an inspiring combination.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to have John DeLucie involved in this year’s culinary line-up and feel this is a huge testament to the success of the inaugural Caribbean Food & Wine Festival,” says Nikheel Advani, Co-Chair, Caribbean Food & Wine Festival.  “The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival’s primary objective is to bring together the best chefs from around the world, and attracting the attention of one of New York City’s brightest culinary talents will certainly raise the bar for future festivals.”

Having grown up in a traditional Italian-American family, DeLucie was constantly surrounded by great food.  After trying a few 9-to-5 jobs, he quickly discovered that a career in the culinary world was his true calling, and after culinary school, he took some time to explore the culture and cuisine in France, Italy and Spain.  It was during this time that John defined his cooking style, fusing modern cooking techniques with European flavors.  Since then, he has cooked at Arizona 206, Oceana and The Tribeca Grand before teaming up with Graydon Carter to open the Waverly Inn. After great success as a founding Chef and Partner at Waverly Inn, DeLucie opened his first solo venture, The Lion, in May 2010 to resounding acclaim.  Most recently, DeLucie opened his second restaurant, Crown, located just steps away from The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Manhattan’s iconic Upper East Side.

This year’s festival has expanded into a three-day celebration of Caribbean cuisine and culture, with the popular Gourmet Safari, now in its sixth year, as the marquee event.  The festivities will kick off on Thursday, November 1, with a welcome reception and five-course meal prepared by special guest Chef John DeLucie and Executive Chef Fritz Zwahlen of Aman Resort. DeLucie will also lead an intimate cooking demonstration and book signing for festival-goers that evening.

On Saturday, November 3, guests are invited to attend a carefully curated Food & Wine Tasting at The Veranda Resort & Residences, boasting gourmet chocolates, cheeses, seafood, meats and local favorites.  Following the Food & Wine Tasting, the first ever Street Food Fair will take place, showcasing the expert grilling and barbeque techniques of over 15 chefs from the island’s leading resorts and restaurants. The Street Food Fair will also incorporate a friendly grilling competition between a local and guest chef.

The Second Annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival will also see the return of Chef Beau MacMillan, award-winning Executive Chef of Elements restaurant at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, and famed Iron Chef competitor who proudly defeated celebrity chef Bobby Flay for the title in 2006. Chef MacMillan has cooked at the James Beard House and the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, among others. He has created memorable meals for President Bush, Jacques Pepin and Michele Roux, Sr.  He is also personal chef to Wayne Gretzky.  Both in and outside the kitchen, Chef ‘Beau Mac’ is known for his warm personality, endearing laugh and love of family and friends.

Returning wine makers include Tuck Beckstoffer of Napa Valley and the owners of Duck Pond and Desert Winds wines, operated by the Fries and Jenkins families. This year, the festival also welcomes new wineries such as Terlato Wines International, which represents over 60 of the world’s finest wines.

“This is by far the most impressive and exciting array of talent and resources the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival has seen,” says Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism for Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board. “We know that the growing success of the Festival will help us achieve our goal of making Turks and Caicos the Caribbean’s premier culinary platform for the development our talented young chefs and related programs.”

Grace Bay Resorts hosted the First Annual Caribbean Food &Wine Festival on November 4-5, 2011, with the sold out event bringing together the best and brightest in the hospitality and culinary industries. For tickets and additional event information, please visit www.caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com or contact [email protected].

About Turks and Caicos
The 40 islands of the Turks and Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving and array of world-class resorts. Additional activities include tennis, golf and horseback riding. The Islands feature a variety of spa and body treatment services and is home to the world’s only conch farm. There are three daily 90-minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte, twice weekly flights from New York and weekly flights from Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto. For more information on travel, visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board’s website at www.turksandcaicostourism.com or call (800) 241-0824.

About Grace Bay Resorts
Grace Bay Resorts is a boutique developer and operator of high-end, luxury resorts and branded residences, founded from its flagship property Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos which opened in 1993. Led by Mark Durliat and Nikheel Advani, the developers and hoteliers behind this renowned resort, and Michael Brewster, Managing Partner of Denver-based SV Capital Partners, Grace Bay Resorts provides development, branding and management for its brand and is expanding its award-winning services into other Caribbean destinations and Latin America, with a target of 10 properties in the next few years. For more information, please visit www.gracebayresorts.com.