St. Maarten Flavors 2026 Officially Launched

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The 2026 edition of St. Maarten Flavors was officially launched during a press conference on May 15, hosted by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau & St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), introducing a refreshed vision for the island’s beloved culinary program.

May-Ling Chun opened the press conference by welcoming attendees, including Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten and Michele Korteweg representing the SHTA as organizers of the event.

During the presentation, Korteweg explained the major changes for the 2026 edition, most notably the move from November to June, positioning June as St. Maarten’s Culinary Month. The shift was made in consultation with restaurants to better align with the end of high season rather than the start, creating a more favorable period for participation and creative culinary experiences.

In addition to the date change, St. Maarten Flavors is evolving into a year-round culinary platform. Through St. Maarten Flavors, residents and visitors alike will now be able to discover restaurants, bars, signature dishes, and culinary experiences throughout the year. Participating businesses are encouraged to continuously submit events and specials, ranging from wine tastings and holiday menus to themed dining nights and culinary workshops.

Korteweg further explained that participation has also become more accessible and flexible for restaurants. Rather than adhering to a fixed one-course or three-course format and pricing structure, businesses can now simply highlight an existing signature dish or menu item. Restaurants may still choose to offer a special promotion or menu for the month of June, but this is no longer a requirement.

May-Ling Chun added that while the platform remains an important tourism initiative, it is equally focused on St. Maarten’s own community and culinary culture. Food plays a central role within the local community, and organizers hope to see more variety in restaurants showcasing traditional local dishes and flavors as part of the program.

Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten shared her enthusiasm for the new direction of the event and expressed ambitions to eventually take the concept internationally in future editions. “Why not host a food tour, entitled “Taste of St. Maarten Dinner” in New York one day but in other countries thereinafter?” she suggested, emphasizing the international potential of St. Maarten’s culinary identity.

Also present during the press conference were participating businesses already signed up for the 2026 edition. John Leone of Seaview Beach Hotel & Restaurant, participating for the third consecutive year, emphasized the importance of showcasing St. Maarten’s culinary scene and how initiatives like St. Maarten Flavors help attract visitors to the island.

First-time participant Anna Toth of Creole Culinary Classroom highlighted the experiential aspect of her offering through cooking workshops and announced a month-long discount during June. Her participation reflects the broader direction of the platform, which aims to include all experiences connected to flavors and cuisine, including classes, tastings, farm-to-table concepts, and interactive culinary experiences.

Organizers also proudly confirmed the first sponsors supporting the refreshed concept. PDG Supplies is supporting participating restaurants by offering the first 50 registered businesses a US $100 gift voucher. In addition, organizers welcomed CC1 St. Maarten and sparkling wine brand Mionetto as sponsors of the program.

The press conference concluded with an open invitation for restaurants and bar owners across the island to join the platform and support the continued promotion of St. Maarten’s diverse culinary scene.

The official kick-off event for St. Maarten Flavors 2026 will take place on May 28 with an SHTA Mixer hosted at NIPA. Culinary students will collaborate alongside chefs from participating restaurants to prepare the evening’s hors d’oeuvres, creating a unique opportunity to showcase local talent and foster collaboration within the hospitality industry.

For more information and an overview of participating restaurants and culinary experiences, visit St. Maarten Flavors