Mango Festival Delights in Nevis
Discover the Nevis Mango Festival, a celebration of mangoes with inventive cuisine and competitions in the Caribbean’s Mango Capital.
The Caribbean island of Nevis is known for its mangoes, with over 44 different types grown on the island. Every summer, the Nevis Mango Festival celebrates the fruit with inventive cuisine, lively competitions, and immersive culinary experiences.
Nevis: The Mango Capital of the Caribbean
Nevis proudly claims the title of “Mango Capital of the Caribbean,” and the annual festival showcases the island’s sweetest treasure. The festival features chefs, bartenders, farmers, food lovers, and curious travelers coming together to celebrate the island’s mangoes.
Mangoes appear in fresh salads, seafood dishes, barbecue sauces, cocktails, pastries, chutneys, and gourmet tasting menus, proving just how versatile this tropical fruit can be. From silky Julie mangoes to fragrant Graham, sweet Amory Polly, and the beloved Long Mango, the island’s remarkable diversity of fruit inspires menus that stretch far beyond traditional desserts.
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Culinary Ambassador Chef Eric Adjepong
Chef Eric Adjepong, a Ghanaian American chef, TV personality, and author, serves as the official Culinary Ambassador for the festival. He hosts exclusive dining events, judges the island’s premier cooking competition, and shares his expertise at a special outdoor masterclass.
The festival has grown from a one-day event in a single location to a multi-day spectacle, covering the entire island. This allows visitors to explore the island at a leisurely Caribbean pace, discovering its food, people, and stunning scenery.
One of the festival’s main events is the Mangomania celebration, a family-friendly gathering that captures the playful spirit of the festival. The event features mango-eating contests, mango-stoning competitions, tugs-of-war, and mixology battles.
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Chef Eric leads a cooking masterclass, teaching participants how to make Mango Escovitch, a mix of finely shredded peppers, onions, vegetables, and mango in a spicy sauce, paired with grilled salmon or chicken and boiled rice.
The Mango-Eating Competition is the festival’s most anticipated spectator sport. At the sound of a horn, contestants dig their teeth deep into their fruit, tearing through the tough outer skin to reach the flesh.
For travelers looking to experience the Nevis Mango Festival, Nevis is easily accessible by air, with direct flights from London Gatwick to St Kitts, followed by a water taxi to the island.
