  It got delayed by Tropical Storm Alex 2 weeks ago, but Caye Caulker’s Lobster Fest was on again this weekend. Tourist and Locals made their annual pilgrimage the island to take part in the long standing tradition. But it’s no so much custom as it is appetite because who would pass up an opportunity to indulge in the most exquisite lobster dishes? Monica Bodden didn’t and she has this report. It was a festive weekend on the island of Caye Caulker as Lobster Fest 20-10 was underway. And even though Tropical Storm Alex had forced a postponement of the event, there was no stopping this tradition that’s been going for 16 years.
Miguel Neal – Organizer
 “The Fest was started 16 years ago and it’s a fund raiser for the Island. 50% of the proceeds goes to a worthy cause which for this year again like last years’ is going to the primary school, to build a new classroom and the other 50% stays for the following years to come to do another lobster fest.”
Belizeans and tourists lined the beachfront to join in on the annual celebrations. Music was everywhere from the Pan Tempers Steel Band along with a wide variety of D.J.’s – while the aroma of grilled lobster wafting from the bar-b-que pit was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Monica Bodden
“Now, you serve this thing with what?”
Roger Martinez – Cook
“Well, we serve this with like rice and beans, coleslaw, steam veggies or flour tortilla or beans or what so ever.”
Monica Bodden
“And something that big cost how much?”
Roger Martinez – Cook
 “For BZ$25.00.”
Francine Martinez – Cook
“The key to it is fresh of course, we mix up like 8 different seasonings, then I put it on the grill and then its finish. We put either garlic butter sauce or bar-b-que sauce on it and it comes with my delicious homemade coconut rice and beans and potato salad. Everything homemade.”
Monica Bodden
“Now this is something that you have been doing every lobster fest or?”
Francine Martinez – Cook
 “This is my second year but I have my own place out on the beach, I’ve been doing that for 8 years.”
Monica Bodden
“So you got your fresh lobster ready for this weekend?”
Francine Martinez – Cook
“See they are still jumping (laughing).”
Monica Bodden
“And you’ll be out here for the 2 days?”
Francine Martinez – Cook
“Yes, I’ll be here from today until tomorrow until everything is gone.”
Monica Bodden
“Now tell me about the prices, what are the prices like for your lobster?”
Francine Martinez – Cook
“The Lobster, it depends on the size, some range at $20 Belize some at $25, the bigger ones I would sell for $30 Belize and you’d be surprise people buy it.”
Monica Bodden
“And it’s well worth it.”
Francine Martinez – Cook
“You said it!”
Steven Arnold
 “I have whole lobster; I am going to be selling it with mash potatoes, corn and white rice and garlic bread.”
Monica Bodden
“What time are you going to start putting these lobsters on the grill?”
Steven Arnold
“4:00 O’clock this evening.”
Monica Bodden
“Now, I mean I am passing a lot of places that have lobster on the grill, tell me what makes your one different?”
Steven Arnold
“Well, I have been doing this for 16 years, I am on the internet I am on the You Tube, I am on all the guide books and you know what the international language says, that never trust a skinny shelve, as you can see I am a fat and not skinny so you can trust me.”
And the price for a plate of food didn’t quite seem to matter for most people- since it didn’t stop them from buying
Monica Bodden
“Now Sheryl, is this your first time at lobster fest?”
Sheryl Praetor – Tourist
 “Yes it is.”
Monica Bodden
“How is it so far?”
Sheryl Praetor – Tourist
“It’s wonderful; it’s amazing, the food is so good.”
Monica Bodden
“Now, what do you have there, grill lobster?”
Sheryl Praetor – Tourist
“I have the grill lobster, rice and beans and potato salad.”
Monica Bodden
“And you are enjoying it?”
Sheryl Praetor – Tourist
“Love it.”
Monica Bodden
“Now, have you ever tasted lobster with this flavour before?”
Sheryl Praetor – Tourist
“No, never.”
Monica Bodden
“First time?”
Sheryl Praetor – Tourist
“First time, very fresh, melts in your mouth.”
Monica Bodden
“Just tell me how is the lobster?”
Interviewee
 “Unbelievable, very good, thanks you very much, wonderful country you have.”
Monica Bodden
“You guys are from where?”
Interviewee
“Texas.”
Monica Bodden
“You ever have something like this?”
Interviewee
“No, never, we need to get out more, this is nice.”
Monica Bodden
“Your first time here on the Island?”
Interviewee
“Yes it is.”
Monica Bodden
“Enjoying yourselves?”
Interviewee
“Absolutely, we picked Caye Caulker just because of the laid back atmosphere. Thank you very much.”
Monica Bodden
“Ever thought you would have been meeting the lobster fest?”
Interviewee
“This is a surprise to us. It was postponed, now we are here, we are lucky people.”
Monica Bodden
“You ladies enjoying your lunch?”
Interviewee
 “It’s really good, yeah, I haven’t had lobster like this before so it’s great.”
Interviewee
“It’s delicious, and this is a lot of fun. The lobster fest is great.”
Monica Bodden
“I mean, this lobster looks spectacular, how is it for you guys?”
Interviewee
“Fantastic, my first time with lobster, fantastic.”
Monica Bodden
“And it’s your first time?”
Interviewee
“No, and it’s my favourite food I love it.”
Monica Bodden
“Now, have you ever tasted it how its cook here in Caye Caulker?”
Interviewee
 “In England its very different, it has cheese on it, it’s called lobster thermidor, I like this, it’s very nice.”
And while lobster was the main attraction on the island this weekend – it wasn’t the only thing on the grill- in fact there was a wide variety of meats.
Cook
 “I have like Gibnut, chicken, lobster, ribs and porksteak.”
And not just food, Lobster Fest 20-10 – had a line up of activities planned over the weekend for both young and old.
Miguel Neal – Organizer
“2010 lobster fest Caye Caulker includes D.Js from Miami for tonight we have a big dance going on with them, then during the day today we have D.J Clarence and Tag International, all the D.Js are backed up by Blue Steel. We have a lot of fun events that will be going on for the kids; watermelon eating contest, beer drinking contest going on tomorrow which is one of the main contest tomorrow and then one of the main attraction for the fisher men is who brings in the bigger lobster, wins the prize.”
Interviewee
 “Well, it’s very good right now, lively, lots of people coming in and you know, this is our culture from ever since and we are doing good.”
Interviewee
“We are having a great time; the steel bands are unbelievable.”
Interviewee
“We love it; we are having a good time.”
Interviewee
“We are so glad that it got pushed off tell this weekend, because we are here now.”
Monica Bodden
“Have you guys had a chance to taste any of the lobster?”
Interviewee
 “We are just coming out for lunch, just coming out to check it out.”
Monica Bodden
“But the mood the feeling is…”
Interviewee
“Oh, I love it the steel drums, I’ve never seen anything like that so many steel drums playing all at the same time, they are all little kids.”
Reporting for 7 News, Monica Bodden. |
