GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS--(Marketwired - Oct 5, 2015) - The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is thrilled to once again announce its participation in the 2016 Cayman Cookout, one of the culinary world's most esteemed and interactive events. This January 14-16th, the resort will welcome an elite roster of talented chefs, wine and spirit experts, and culinary notables to the Cayman Islands for an exclusive weekend of culinary demonstrations, tastings, unique pairings and once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences. The annual event will be set amidst the island's magnificent Seven Mile Beach, and is hosted in partnership together with Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and FOOD & WINE magazine. Tickets for the Cayman Cookout event will be available beginning this week.

"As the culinary festival experts, FOOD & WINE is known for creating singular experiences that bring together incredible talent and amazing food and wine with spectacular destinations. The Cayman Cookout a standout event and we look forward to being endlessly entertained by the magnificent lineup of Eric Ripert and friends blended with the stunning Cayman Islands as our backdrop," said Christian Grdovic, senior vice president and publisher of FOOD & WINE. "Eight years running, this event continues to attract visitors from around the world with an extraordinary roster of chefs, sommeliers, experts, and mixologists."

Originally created by world famous Chef Eric Ripert, co-owner of famed Le Bernardin in New York City and Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the weekend will bring together acclaimed Chefs including Anthony Bourdain, José Andrés, Florian Bellanger, Tom Colicchio, Dean Fearing, Cindy Hutson, Hubert Keller, Ludo Lefebvre, Dean Max and Michael Mina, along with famed mixologist Charles Joly and celebrated winery, Krug.

A variety of Cayman Cookout events will take place throughout the celebration including but not limited to, the following:

Wine Fair & Auction - A celebration of famous vintners and craft of wine making. 

Barefoot BBQ - Dine under the stars with Chef Eric Ripert, Chef Anthony Bourdain, Chef José Andrés, and other acclaimed chefs as they harmonize sizzling beachfront cuisine with breaking waves.

Beach Bash - Set sail on a catamaran across the turquoise Caribbean Sea to the Cayman Island's famed Stingray City, Chef Eric Ripert's favorite destination to swim and snorkel, and revel in a distinctly Caymanian culinary experience.

Bon Vivant Champagne Brunch & Cook-Off - Experience endless Moët Chandon Champagne and extravagant brunch selections with Grand Cayman's most ambitious amateur chefs duel in a live cook-off.

Seven to Savor: A unique evening with Eric Ripert and friends, the eighth annual Cayman Cookout will concludes with an unforgettable seven course meal.

The Sound of Krug - Experience what happens when the art of music meets the art of champagne. Taste the stunning wines of Krug including some of the rarest champagnes in production, paired with hand selected music to enhance the experience.

Rum and Robusto - Experience epicurean cigars, rum cocktails and live music poolside at the Harbour Club. The event's Cuban inspiration helps create this new and exciting addition to the Cayman Cookout lineup.

Guests can also select from Grand Cayman beachside culinary demonstrations, elegant luncheons, reserve wine tastings, and meet and mingle activities at the local Rundown event.

Tickets for the eighth annual Cayman Cookout will be available beginning October 1, 2015 at www.caymancookout.com. For accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, contact your travel professional, The Ritz-Carlton reservations team at 800-241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/grandcayman.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Spanning 144 acres sea to sea from Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman unites the top names in every field to offer its hotel guests a one-of-a-kind experiences. The resort features 365 guestrooms and suites, la prairie Spa, five dining venues including a Blue by Eric Ripert, a tennis center by Nick Bollettieri, Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau family program and Blue Tip, a Greg Norman-designed nine-hole golf course. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 90 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, and for the latest company updates, visit news.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR).

About FOOD & WINE

FOOD & WINE is the ultimate authority on the best of what's new in food, drink, travel, design and entertaining. FOOD & WINE has an extensive social media following on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and Foursquare. FOOD & WINE includes a monthly magazine; digital editions on the iPad, Kindle Fire and Nook Color; a website, foodandwine.com; a books division; FWx, a digital brand and website for millennials; plus newsletters, clubs, events around the globe and a restaurant partnership, Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE.

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