The City of Hamilton’s four-day Taste of Bermuda festival drew thousands of food lovers to the city last week, with the Tasting Village on Sunday bringing in almost $30,000 in sales over a six-hour span.

It was declared a success despite weather challenges and a venue change, with more than 100 vendors participating.

Jessica Astwood, the City’s director of marketing and communications, said: “Each year, Taste of Bermuda continues to raise the bar, and this year’s turnout was a clear reflection of that momentum.”

She highlighted a “noticeable” increase in visitors as well as strong local engagement.

Many of the island’s top hotels joined the opening Tastemakers on Thursday night, a new collaboration with the City.

Clarence Hofheins, the president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, said: “Tastemakers was more than a culinary event; it was a statement about what’s possible when Bermuda’s hotel sector comes together to create something exceptional.”

Winners of the Art of the Pour cocktail competition on Friday were the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club for Best Vodka Cocktail; The Loren in the Gin category, along with Best Hotel Experience and Best Overall Cocktail; Rosewood Tucker’s Point for Rum; Toast & Taste, for Tequila as well as Best Bar Cocktail; and Rock & Barrel for Whiskey as well as Best Restaurant Cocktail;

The Best Overall Cocktail winners won a trip for two to Casa Bacardi in Puerto Rico.

The All-White Ball in the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club came with entertainment by Troika and Hindsight, along with Mapy, “The Violin Queen”.

The weekend wrapped up with the Tasting Village at City Hall car park on Sunday, with Patrina “Power Girl” O’Connor and town crier Ed Christopher, concluding with Gombey performances.

The crowd also voted for the Best of the Fest award, with Pssst voted the 2025 champion with The Cloud as runner-up.

Kareem Hollis won the pre-Taste social-media contest, earning a three-minute shopping spree at Pronto City Market.