Why I Tell Stories About Tobago’s Sustainable Food & Drink Culture — Not Cook It

When people hear that I write about food, their first question is usually: “So… what do you cook?”

The truth is, I don’t. I’m not a chef, caterer, or culinary artist.

What I am is a storyteller - someone who uses words, mobile photography, and event narratives to shine a light on Tobago’s sustainable food and drink culture.

While others are in the kitchen perfecting recipes, I’m outside capturing the heartbeat of what makes our island’s culinary heritage so rich and alive.

My passion lies in capturing the vibrant, sustainable food and drink culture of Tobago, not recreating it in a kitchen. Through words, photographs, and event storytelling, I highlight the traditions, people, and evolving practices that make Tobago’s culinary heritage so rich and unique.

Food Is More Than a Recipe — It’s a Living History

In Tobago, food is a vessel of memory. From the smoky scent of fish being prepared for Sunday lunch to the rhythmic sound of pestle and mortar during cocoa pounding, every dish tells a story that spans generations.

These traditions connect us to our ancestors and to the land and sea that sustain us. By documenting and sharing these narratives, I help preserve a cultural legacy that might otherwise fade.

Sustainable Culinary Practices Deserve the Spotlight

Tobago’s food and drink culture is rooted in sustainability long before the term became a global buzzword. Tobago was already practicing it.

Practices like backyard farming, seasonal eating, communal cooking, and resourceful ingredient use are part of everyday life here.

My role is to bring these often-overlooked sustainable methods to the forefront, celebrating local farmers, fishers, cooks, and artisans who embody green values in their daily work.

Through my storytelling, I spotlight the farmers who nurture the land, the fishers who respect the sea, the cooks who honor tradition, and the artisans who craft drinks like mauby and ginger beer with care and intention. These are the real eco-heroes of our culinary scene.

I Capture the Stories Behind the Scenes

While chefs and cooks bring dishes to life, my craft is to capture what happens behind the scenes.

The bustling early-morning market filled with fresh produce and friendly chatter; the elders sharing secrets of breadfruit preparation; and the careful, patient process of fermenting, brewing, or pounding ingredients by hand, and even the handcrafting of local drinks like mauby and ginger beer.

These overlooked details are the heartbeat of Tobago’s culinary identity. And through mobile photography and written stories, I bring those moments forward for others to experience and appreciate.

Event Storytelling Connects Past and Present

Whether it’s a food festival, a traditional wedding feast, or a sustainable pop-up event, Tobago’s gatherings are steeped in culinary rituals and culture.

With my background in event management, I tell these stories with intention, structure, and emotion, blending cultural heritage with a modern eco-conscious perspective into engaging narratives.

These stories don’t just document events; they inspire both locals and visitors to engage with Tobago’s sustainable food traditions more meaningfully.

Not Cooking Is My Creative Superpower

Some people express their love for food through cooking; I express mine through storytelling.

Choosing not to cook gives me a unique vantage point. Instead of focusing on techniques and recipes, I focus on people, places, and purpose.

By stepping away from the kitchen, I get to see the bigger picture. the people, the places, and the purpose behind each dish. I get to see how food shape's identity, community, and sustainability.

My role isn’t to teach you how to make crab and dumplings; it’s to help you understand why it matters, how it connects us, and why preserving these practices is so important for our island’s future and how it connects us to the island’s.

Telling the Story Keeps It Alive

Tobago’s sustainable food and drink culture is vibrant, layered, and worth celebrating.

Tobago’s sustainable food and drink culture deserves to be documented, celebrated, and shared far beyond our shores.

By sharing these stories through my blog, photography, and event narratives, I hope to preserve the essence of our culinary traditions while showcasing Tobago as a sustainable food destination for the world.

Cooking may feed the body, but storytelling nourishes the soul.

👉 Over to you: What’s one sustainable food or drink tradition in Tobago that you think more people should know about? Share it in the comments below — I’d love to tell that story. 💬