It was the sweetest festival Trinidad and Tobago has seen, as Buzz Concepts hosted its first-ever Honey Fest on Saturday, drawing crowds to the DCFA campus in St. Augustine for a day of sweet fun and excitement.
The event showcased culture, community, and cuisine, offering an afternoon of education, entertainment, and plenty of memorable moments.
Celebrating its 20th year, Managing Director of Buzz Concepts, Brendon Brathwaite said the brand set out to boost business visibility across Trinidad and Tobago while spreading awareness about the importance of bees – one of nature’s tiniest powerhouses.
“So we use this opportunity to bring the nation together, advertise in a big way, and market in a big way to get people to come out and have fun, get educated, and feel stimulated to do good. So it is about recycling, it is about good, positive thoughts. That is what I think the nation needs, and that is why this event is so important.”
From honey-infused cuisine to body lotions, oils and wax, he noted that the event aimed not only to showcase the wide variety of locally produced honey but also its many by-products, offering something special for everyone.
“From the doubles vendor adding honey to his doubles to honey ice cream, a lot of different things to taste, touch and experience right here in Honey Fest 2026.”
As important as it is to learn about these busy insects, it is equally important to learn about the people who manage them. Expert beekeeper and Agricultural Assistant I from the Ministry of Agriculture, Asad Hosein, led live demonstrations and educational sessions designed to give participants both practical and theoretical insights into the world of apiculture.
Citing Chapter 67, Section 53 of Trinidad and Tobago’s Beekeeping Act, he emphasised that beekeeping is the only form of agriculture governed by law, requiring local beekeepers to register their apiaries before entering the industry. To obtain this certification, he noted the first step is writing a letter to the Inspector of Apiaries.
“In writing that letter to him you have to tell him the number of colonies, the apiary site, and your location and your home address.”
He added that beekeeping is the only industry that is heavily subsidised, with farmers receiving up to 50% reimbursement on equipment purchases. To access this incentive, he noted that one should first be registered as a farmer and a beekeeper.
With more than four decades of experience under his beekeeping suit, TTT News caught up with “master beekeeper” and member of the ‘All Trinidad and Tobago Apiculture Cooperative Society Ltd’, Bede Rajahram, who shared insights into the medicinal properties of honey.
“This actually has medicinal properties as well. When you actually chew the comb, once your saliva reacts with the wax and you continue to chew it, it releases medicines in it that is very good for lung problems like asthma, bronchitis.”
A member of Golden Bee Honey, Amanda, explained that her bees feed on citrus such as limes, oranges, and grapefruit, giving their honey a distinctive twist with a little extra sting.
“Our honey is not a normal honey. It has a little zing to it, a little citrus flavour to it, right? So personally, I don’t really fancy normal honey, so I wanted my honey, without adding anything to it to have a little flavour so you know what it tastes like? An orange candy.”
If you missed this year’s event, mark your calendars, as Mr. Brathwaite noted that next year’s Honey Fest will be held on May 22nd at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya.