South Florida cake festival expands to 20 Caribbean destinations

The fifth annual Rum Cake & Caribbean Black Cake Festival returns to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 15, bringing bakers from more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories, Caribbean food and spirits, and cultural performances to The Venue Fort Lauderdale. Organizers expect more than 1,000 guests, up from about 700 last year.

Why it matters: - The festival has grown from 25 guests in 2022 to an expected crowd of more than 1,000 this year. - The event puts Caribbean baking, food, music and holiday traditions in one South Florida setting. - The expansion signals rising interest in Caribbean cultural programming in Broward County.

What happened: - The fifth annual Rum Cake & Caribbean Black Cake Festival is set for Sunday, Nov. 15, from 2–6 p.m. at The Venue Fort Lauderdale in Wilton Manors. - Island SPACE Caribbean Museum and Caribbean Professionals Network are presenting the event. - The Broward County Cultural Division and The Venue Fort Lauderdale are sponsoring the festival. - Organizers expect more than 1,000 guests. - The indoor event will feature bakers from more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories.

The details: - The Hall of Bakers, presented by Visit Barbados, includes recipes and styles from destinations such as Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, Guyana and Suriname. - Guests can sample golden butter rum cakes flavored with coconut, pumpkin spice or bourbon. - Guests can also compare dark black cakes built from family recipes passed through generations. - Guyanese recipes may include preserved star fruit. - Other Caribbean black cake variations may use cherry brandy, stout, rum, wine and spices. - Caribbean destination representatives will be on hand to share travel opportunities. - The Food Court features Soups of the Caribbean, Creole Island Rolls, Chef Paul's Macaroni Boss Bar and Grilled Stuffed Lobster. - Additional regional dishes will be available for purchase. - The premium Rum Room Experience is for ages 21 and older. - Coconuts & Cocktails curated six featured drinks for the Rum Room Experience. - Featured brands include Travellers One Barrel Rum and Cuello's Caribbean Rum from Belize, El Dorado Rum from Guyana, Mighty Sparrow XO Trinidad Spiced Rum, Melky Jean's Saint Sauveur 1972 Haitian Heritage Rum and Pòtieri's Caribbean-inspired passion fruit cocktail. - The Caribbean Holiday Marketplace will sell gifts, art and specialty products.

Between the lines: - The festival leans into both tradition and novelty, pairing classic black cake recipes with newer flavor twists. - The breadth of representation suggests the organizers are positioning the event as a regional showcase, not just a food festival. - Calibe Thompson, executive director of Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, said the team made a deliberate effort to create the broadest Caribbean representation in the festival's history. - Thompson said the event is meant to help guests learn, explore and find inspiration for Caribbean travel. - Host Raul Blaze said the festival is designed to highlight what Caribbean communities share while celebrating their differences through food and culture.

What's next: - Cultural performances will include Jamaican Jonkonnu, Bahamian Junkanoo and Puerto Rican bomba and plena. - Haitian Fanal lantern-making and St. Lucian Festival of Lights activities will also be part of the program. - Raul Blaze will lead music, trivia, giveaways and audience activities, joined by DJ Bigg G, Melo Groove Steel Orchestra and Bootleg Greg for a rum demonstration. - Tickets are on sale now at festival tickets. - General admission costs $30 through Nov. 14 and $40 at the door. - Children's admission costs $10 for ages 4–12, while children 3 and younger get in free. - The Rum Room Experience costs $75 through Nov. 14 and $85 at the door. - The Rum Room Experience includes general admission and is limited to guests 21 and older.

The bottom line: - The festival has evolved into a large-scale Caribbean showcase in South Florida, with more countries, more guests and more programming than ever before.