PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC (April 2025): The National Caribbean-American Food & Foodways Alliance (NCAFFA) and the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) have announced June 8-14, 2025, as National Caribbean American Restaurant Week (NCARW). This event is part of the month-long observance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM) in June.

During NCARW, diners can enjoy a variety of special dining and event experiences which showcase the world-of-flavors in Caribbean cuisine. Participating restaurants include fine dining and casual restaurants, markets, food trucks and caterers. Diners are encouraged to explore traditional and unique dishes like Guyana’s Pepper Pot, Puerto Rico’s Mofongo, Jamaica’s Ackee & Saltfish, and Haiti’s DjonDjon (Black rice).

Caribbean restaurants can be found across the US, particularly in states and locales with significant Caribbean-American populations.   These include Connecticut, Delaware, the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia), Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.  We encourage diners to locate these restaurants in general listings and directories found at the NCARW website.

For the second year, the NCARW celebration will also include its “Meet the Chefs Conversations”, which showcase Caribbean chefs, who will share their inspiration and passion, and demonstrate preparing Caribbean dishes where practicable. This year, NCARW will highlight Haitian cuisine, a beloved and often infrequently experienced Caribbean cuisine in the US.  On June 10th, virtually, Chef Nadege Fleurimond, Author of “Haiti: Uncovered” will share Haitian cuisine’s flavors and techniques. 

Claire Nelson, PhD, the Founder and CEO of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), remarks that “Exploring Caribbean cuisine is an excellent way to experience Caribbean culture and its significant influence on American dining, as showcased during National Caribbean American Heritage Month in June.”

ICS, a nonprofit established in 1993, is dedicated to education, advocacy and action on issues that impact Caribbean Americans. Since 2006, it has served as the campaign chair of National Caribbean American Heritage Month, and each November since 1994 has produced the National Caribbean-American Heritage Awards.

Doreen Thompson, Esq., Co-Founder of the National Caribbean American Food & Foodways Alliance (NCAFFA), states, “Diners are encouraged to explore the world of flavors of Caribbean cuisine, which is considered one of the first fusion cuisines, incorporating Indigenous, African, European, Indian, and Asian influences. Each bite offers insight into Caribbean history.”

By leveraging partnerships, NCAFFA, established in 2010 as a nonprofit organization, promotes Caribbean culinary culture and heritage through its “Eat, Drink Caribbean” campaign. NCAFFA initiated Caribbean Restaurant Week in 2013 in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia), highlights the month of June as Caribbean Cuisine Month and recognizes Caribbean-American food pioneers, merchants, chefs, and food writers through its Caribbean Cooks & Books® Reviews and Celebrations.

Andrew Sharpe, the Founder and CEO of Authentic Caribbean Foundation Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, notes that “NCARW’s slogan, Savor our World-of-Flavors, highlights the range of cultures in the Caribbean American community”.

Founded in 2012, Authentic Caribbean Foundation (ACF), a nonprofit serving the Caribbean Diaspora and the Caribbean, offers education and hospitality training, health services, and support to children and adults with disabilities. ACF also celebrates National Caribbean American Heritage Month through its annual Caribbean American Heritage Festivals: https://www.caribbeanamericanheritagefest.com/

“NCARW provides an opportunity to continue supporting small “mom & pop” businesses experiencing economic pressures,” states Jackie Watson, MBA, Founder and CEO of the Caribbean Association of Georgia, and Co-Founder of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia. 

The Caribbean Association of Georgia, Inc., a nonprofit, provides humanitarian services and information to the Caribbean community. The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia supports Caribbean businesses and nonprofits in metro Atlanta by providing relevant information and advocating for empowerment.

Across the nation, local and regional NCARW Directories highlight Caribbean restaurants, such as the DMV Directory at dmvccrw.org.   In Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Missouri, see https://www.caribbeanamericanheritagefest.com/

 FAQs about NCARW are at the ncarw.org web site. Visit @ncarw.org for details