Above: San Juan (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico is readying for the return of its annual culinary extravaganza, Saborea Puerto Rico, next month.

The event will be bringing together 50 local restaurants, wineries and beer and spirit companies at its tasting pavilion, joined by some of the best culinary talent from within the Caribbean and without.

“Puerto Rico without a doubt is a favorite location among food lovers worldwide and Saborea Puerto Rico has contributed for the past seven years to reunite the best culinary talent in one scenario for the enjoyment of the local public and tourists who visit,” said Clarisa Jimenez, president of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association, which puts on Saborea.

Among the noted chefs on hand will be Deborah Mazar and Gabrielle Corcos of the Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin programme and Susie Jimenez of The Next Food Network Star series.

“San Juan is known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” said Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “Saborea Puerto Rico offers our local and international public a tour of our best culinary traditions, novel fusions and excellent work of renowned chefs. Our participation in activities like Saborea lays the foundation of the efforts that we have been constantly developing at the Tourism Company to attract and strengthen culinary tourism as a niche market that has grown and generated a positive impulse in the economy.”

This year’s festival begins with a dinner on April 4 at the Condado Plaza Hilton.