Ever heard of lamb doubles, lamb pholourie, or even lamb souse?
Those were just some of the creative dishes tempting taste buds at Lamb Fest at the Shaw Park Complex in Tobago.
The Tobago House of Assembly’s 2025 World Food Day celebrations continued on Sunday with the second event on its calendar, the much-anticipated Lamb Fest. Now in its third year, the festival drew scores of food lovers eager to sample inventive lamb dishes.
Secretary of Food Security, Nathisha Charles-Pantin, said the event supports the island’s farmers.
“Now you have the Lamb Fest where you can taste the best quality meat on the island, so we don’t have to transport our animals to Trinidad no longer. You have an opportunity to create a market for lamb meat in Tobago. That is the reason why we are doing this so that the farmers can get sale for their animals. So when you buy lamb, think about your Tobago farmers.”
Administrator Julien Skeete also shared that the event showcases the versatility of lamb meat.
“Lamb Fest continues to certainly showcase Tobago’s culinary talents but at its core was designed to shine a spotlight on Tobago’s small ruminant sector, which has tremendous potential for growth, and therefore lamb may not be only the most popular meat on the island, as I am slowly recognising, but today it is about showing Tobagonians and continuing to show how versatile, flavourful, and, most importantly, how nutritious it is when we prepare and we use our creativity.”
Secretary Charles-Pantin said the event also ties into the Division’s wider push to boost small ruminant farming on the island.
“We have refurbished the majority of livestock pens in the east, and we are now looking forward to developing more of the small ruminant industry to support the Tobago Integrated Livestock Association projects and those farmers outside of the Association.”
The Tobago Integrated Livestock Association is a key partner in executing Lamb Fest.
President of the Tobago Integrated Livestock Association, Kevlon Dillon, commended the Tobago House of Assembly and its partners for their continued investment in the event.
“Lamb Fest is more than just an event. It is a showcase of innovation, community, and the rich culinary heritage that makes Tobago unique. Each dish, each display, and each conversation today tells a story of dedication and progress.”
Chairman of the Tobago Agri-Business Development Company Limited, Ricardo Alfred, stressed that the event serves as a viable tourism product and called on stakeholders to work together to strengthen the event’s offerings.