There’s no denying that lobster is one of Belize’s most beloved crustaceans. Alongside favorites like Mango Fest and the Chocolate Festival, the country’s annual Lobster Fest is one of the most anticipated food festivals of the year. In Hopkins, The Lodge at Jaguar Reef has been offering lobster-lovers a fun and intimate way to indulge for the past few years, and 2024 was no different. On Saturday July 20th, the lodge served as a backdrop for something truly remarkable. Just in case you missed it, here’s your recap of Jaguar Reef’s 2024 Mini Lobster Fest.
An Eclectic Lobster Menu and Our Mini Artisan Market
In addition to enjoying indulgent lobster dishes (more on that in a few), Mini Lobster Fest attendees were able to support a variety of small businesses. Set inside The Paddle House, this year’s artisan market featured an array of products—each locally made and crafted with love.
They included hand poured candles from both Amber’s Candle Co. and Luminescent Luxuries as well as the signature 14K gold filled jewelry of Astiana Jewelry. Meanwhile, southern Belize’s ever-popular Truly Turmeric had their signature turmeric paste on sale. Shoppers were also able to purchase beautiful glass paintings by Soul Art hailing from Belize City and locally made libations by Hopkins’ very own Renegade Spirits.
An Eclectic Lobster Menu and Our Mini Artisan Market
In addition to enjoying indulgent lobster dishes (more on that in a few), Mini Lobster Fest attendees were able to support a variety of small businesses. Set inside The Paddle House, this year’s artisan market featured an array of products—each locally made and crafted with love.
They included hand poured candles from both Amber’s Candle Co. and Luminescent Luxuries as well as the signature 14K gold filled jewelry of Astiana Jewelry. Meanwhile, southern Belize’s ever-popular Truly Turmeric had their signature turmeric paste on sale. Shoppers were also able to purchase beautiful glass paintings by Soul Art hailing from Belize City and locally made libations by Hopkins’ very own Renegade Spirits.
For the foodies, there was no shortage of delicious eats to choose from. Options off our firewood grill ranged from the traditional skewered lobster tails to more creative fare like a spicy red recado and habanero grilled lobster tail courtesy of Chef Rahim.
Beyond the grill, lobster lovers enjoyed a variety of special lobster street food that fused corn (masa) with the seafood of the hour beautifully. From lobster panades (red beans and lobster meat stuffed inside a yellow corn tortilla and fried) to salbutes (sauteed lobster chunks served atop a fried tortilla with a citrus cabbage slaw), each dish was made to delight.
Festival goers were also able to enjoy some respite from the Belizean summer heat through a wide selection of wines and slush machine cocktails. And speaking of cocktails…
For the foodies, there was no shortage of delicious eats to choose from. Options off our firewood grill ranged from the traditional skewered lobster tails to more creative fare like a spicy red recado and habanero grilled lobster tail courtesy of Chef Rahim.
Beyond the grill, lobster lovers enjoyed a variety of special lobster street food that fused corn (masa) with the seafood of the hour beautifully. From lobster panades (red beans and lobster meat stuffed inside a yellow corn tortilla and fried) to salbutes (sauteed lobster chunks served atop a fried tortilla with a citrus cabbage slaw), each dish was made to delight.
Festival goers were also able to enjoy some respite from the Belizean summer heat through a wide selection of wines and slush machine cocktails. And speaking of cocktails…
Crowning 2024’s Bartender of the Year
The main highlight of Jaguar Reef’s Mini Lobster Fest was, undoubtedly, the grand finale of the 2024 Battle of the Bartenders. The lodge acted as the setting for an epic conclusion to a thrilling competition.
What began last year as a fun activity to celebrate World Cocktail Day has become a highly anticipated event as well as a gateway to a world of opportunities for our Belize Collection bartenders. In fact, last year’s champion, Umaya Resort & Adventure’s Imer Mai, went on to compete in (and win) Belize’s 5th National Bartender Cup. This allowed him to represent the country at the Pan American Cocktail Championship in the Dominican Republic.
This year, the Battle of the Bartenders competition featured a fully stocked pantry of spirits courtesy of our sponsor Travellers Liquors. At 2:00 pm, bartenders from three Belize Collection Resorts (Rene from the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant; Jerry from Jaguar Reef; and Mercedes from Umaya) went face to face in a total of three rounds.
First, they crafted cocktails using a special mystery box ingredient: bacon. And as unconventional as this year’s ingredients were, each bartender delivered wonderfully. The speed round followed, during which bartenders had eight minutes to craft four drinks (a piña colada, an horchata daiquiri, a Negroni, and a Moscow Mule). Meanwhile, round three—the signature cocktail round—allowed each competitor to create their own special drink using one signature ingredient of their choosing. They were also required to name their drink and present it to our panel of three judges with a detailed description.
This year, the Battle of the Bartenders competition featured a fully stocked pantry of spirits courtesy of our sponsor Travellers Liquors. At 2:00 pm, bartenders from three Belize Collection Resorts (Rene from the Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant; Jerry from Jaguar Reef; and Mercedes from Umaya) went face to face in a total of three rounds.
First, they crafted cocktails using a special mystery box ingredient: bacon. And as unconventional as this year’s ingredients were, each bartender delivered wonderfully. The speed round followed, during which bartenders had eight minutes to craft four drinks (a piña colada, an horchata daiquiri, a Negroni, and a Moscow Mule). Meanwhile, round three—the signature cocktail round—allowed each competitor to create their own special drink using one signature ingredient of their choosing. They were also required to name their drink and present it to our panel of three judges with a detailed description.
This year’s panel of cocktail experts included Travellers Liquors’ senior sales and marketing representative, Jordan Ramclam who has been in the industry for over a decade; Matt Briggs, the owner of Hopkins’ very own Play Bar (and a cocktail connoisseur himself); and Dean Jarnig of Renegade Spirits–a producer of locally made premium spirits based right in Hopkins village. Dean regularly workshops cocktails at tradeshows in both Placencia and Hopkins alongside other village favorites like Play Bar, Mookies, Driftwood Beach Bar, and Ella’s Cool Spot.
Ultimately, it was Umaya Resort’s Mercedes who walked away with the title of Bartender of the Year. Impressively, Mercedes was able to secure first place in the second round by a margin of one second. Congratulations to Mercedes, our new reigning Battle of the Bartenders champion! Keep reading below for the recipe to his winning signature cocktail, the United and Strong. Have fun making it yourself at home, or feel free to ask him to prepare it for you the next time you visit.
Our 2024 Mini Lobster Fest was a time to remember. Thinking about joining us in Summer 2025? Start planning your Lobster Fest stay today.
United & Strong (Cocktail Recipe) by Mercedes
- 1.5oz Absolut Vanilla Vodka
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- Dash of Blue Curacao
- Pineapple Peel Infusion
In a shaker add vodka, lime juice, simple syrup and pineapple peel infusion. Add ice and shake. Prepare glass with ice; add the shaken ingredients to glass. Top with a splash of blue Curacao. Garnish with a pineapple leaf and torched pineapple.
