The third Autentico Festival brought Aruba restaurants, bars, chefs and culinary students together to celebrate traditional dishes, local flavors and the people developing the island’s food culture.
Festival connects residents and visitors
Aruba Tourism Authority PR and Corporate Communications Specialist Gemey Zara said the 2026 event at The Pavilion gave the local community and visitors an opportunity to experience Aruba’s varied culinary offerings.
Zara thanked participating vendors, chefs, students, schools and partners for their work on the third edition. The program was designed to give established culinary businesses and emerging talent a shared public platform.
EPI students present local dishes
EPI culinary student Zulaine Francees said her group spent about a week preparing food at school before presenting and selling it at the festival. Their menu included keshi yena, wraps, goat croquettes and conch ceviche.
Francees said the event allowed students to apply classroom knowledge, demonstrate their skills and share Aruban culinary culture with festival visitors. She also credited the chefs, teachers and school staff who supported the group before and during the event.
Third edition highlights culinary development
By including professionals and students, the festival combined a public celebration of Aruba’s culinary heritage with practical experience for the island’s next generation of food professionals.
Source: 24ora
