Caribbean black cake festival to feature bakers from 23 countries

The fifth annual Rum Cake & Caribbean Black Cake Festival will bring together bakers representing 23 Caribbean countries and territories for an afternoon of food, culture and holiday traditions in South Florida on November 15.

The event, presented by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum and Caribbean Professionals Network, will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Venue Fort Lauderdale in Wilton Manors, Florida. Organizers expect more than 1,000 attendees.

The festival will feature dozens of cake varieties, including traditional Caribbean black cakes and rum cakes in flavours such as soursop, piña colada, sorrel, coconut and pumpkin spice.

Participating bakers will represent Caribbean destinations across French-, Dutch-, Spanish- and English-speaking communities, including Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Belize, Puerto Rico, Suriname and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The event's signature Hall of Bakers, presented by Barbados, will showcase regional variations of the holiday treats, with recipes reflecting generations of Caribbean culinary traditions. Some Guyanese black cake recipes, for example, incorporate preserved star fruit, while others feature cherry brandy, stout and combinations of rum, wine and spices.

“Whether you grew up with these traditions or are discovering them for the first time, we want you to learn, explore, indulge and enjoy,” said Calibe Thompson, executive director of Island SPACE Caribbean Museum.

Beyond the cake displays and tastings, the festival will feature a Caribbean food court, a rum-tasting experience, a holiday marketplace and cultural performances.

Food vendors will offer regional specialties, including Caribbean soups, creole island rolls, macaroni dishes and grilled stuffed lobster.

The premium Rum Room, available to guests 21 and older, will feature Caribbean spirits and cocktails from brands including Travellers One Barrel Rum and Cuello's Caribbean Rum from Belize, El Dorado Rum from Guyana, Mighty Sparrow XO Trinidad Spiced Rum and Melky Jean's Saint Sauveur 1972 Haitian Heritage Rum.

The cultural programme will highlight holiday traditions from across the region, including Jamaican Jonkonnu performances by Brukins Entertainment, Bahamian Junkanoo by Island Groove Entertainment and Puerto Rican bomba and plena by Sikan Afro-Cuban Dance Project. Haitian Fanal lantern-making and Festival of Lights activities will also feature.

Festival host Raul Blaze will lead the afternoon's entertainment, joined by DJ Bigg G, Melo Groove Steel Orchestra and Bootleg Greg, who will conduct a rum demonstration.

The festival was launched in 2022 at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum with 25 guests. Attendance increased to approximately 300 in 2023 and 2024, before reaching about 700 in 2025.

Organizers are anticipating their largest turnout for this year's fifth-anniversary celebration.

General admission tickets cost US$30 in advance through November 14 and US$40 at the door. Admission for children ages 4 to 12 is US$10, while children 3 and younger enter free.

Tickets for the premium Rum Room experience, which includes general admission, cost US$75 in advance and US$85 at the door.

Tickets are available at islandspacefl.org/cakefest26.