Public Invited to Launch of Dominica's Inaugural Gouté Domnik

Week-long culinary celebration to feature Restaurant Week, Friendly One Pot Challenge and Food Passport

The Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) invite residents and visitors to attend the official launch of Gouté Domnik this evening, marking the start of Dominica's inaugural culinary celebration.

The launch will take place today, Wednesday, July 15, at 5:00 p.m. at In De Yard on Cork Street, Roseau. The event is open to the public and will feature food, entertainment and a mix-and-mingle experience while offering attendees a first look at the activities planned for Gouté Domnik 2026.

Presented by the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority, Gouté Domnik will be held from July 19 to 26 under the theme, "Where Flavour Meets Nature."

Recent travel research found that 77% of travellers plan trips around a destination's food and restaurant offerings, while Hilton's 2025 Trends Report notes that nearly one in five travellers will travel specifically to discover new culinary experiences. These figures underscore the growing importance of culinary tourism and the opportunity for destinations like Dominica to showcase its unique flavours, local ingredients and culinary talent.

Gouté Domnik will feature two signature experiences: Restaurant Week and the Friendly One Pot Challenge.

Restaurant Week, which runs from July 19 to 26, will feature specially curated menus and culinary experiences at participating establishments across the island.

Participating restaurants include Calabash Restaurant at Jungle Bay Dominica, Leather Back Restaurant at Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa, Pride de la Dominique, The Pallet, Palisades Restaurant at Fort Young Hotel, Bwa Denn at Secret Bay, Steakhouse Restaurant, Soursop Bar & Grill, Manoe's Cornerstone Restaurant, Le Petit Paradis, Banana Tree, Nets of Reef, Harbour Bites, Chez Wen, Petit Bistro, The Vibe, Belle Hall and Hi Rise.

To further encourage culinary exploration, the Discover Dominica Authority has introduced the Gouté Domnik Food Guide. The guide features participating restaurants and allows patrons to track their culinary journey throughout Restaurant Week. Diners will receive one official stamp for each participating restaurant they visit during the promotion period. At the conclusion of Restaurant Week, the participant with the highest number of valid restaurant stamps will receive a special prize sponsored by the Discover Dominica Authority.

The Friendly One Pot Challenge will take place on Sunday, July 19, in Layou, bringing together teams to showcase their creativity and culinary skill using local ingredients in a spirited competition.

Marva Williams, CEO and Director of Tourism, encouraged the public to attend the launch and support the island's newest tourism initiative.

"Food has become an important part of how travellersexperience a destination. Gouté Domnik gives us an opportunity to celebrate the people, flavours and stories behind Dominican cuisine while creating new opportunities for our restaurants, chefs and local businesses," said Williams."We invite everyone to join us as we launch this exciting new initiative and celebrate the rich culinary experiences that make Dominica unique."

Participants should download their food guide athttps://discoverdominica.com/goute-domnik-taste-of-dominica/. For more information, follow Discover Dominica and Dominica Festivals on Facebook and Instagram.