Looking Back on Cayman Cookout 2026

From January 14 through January 18, the Garnier Thiebaut USA team joined the 17th annual Cayman Cookout, which returned to Grand Cayman, marking a milestone year for its host property, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which celebrated its 20th anniversary. Over five days, the resort became a vibrant culinary hub, hosting more than 57 events across the property and beyond, with GT USA present throughout the experience as the official linen partner.

The event brought together internationally acclaimed chefs, sommeliers, and hospitality leaders for a schedule spanning 13 distinct cuisines, including Mexican, Creole, Belgian, Midwest, French, Spanish, Caymanian, Haitian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, American, and Italian, with Garnier Thiebaut USA linens setting the stage across dining experiences throughout the program. From 7 culinary demonstrations, 23 chef curated meals, and 15 wine and beverage tastings, the Cayman Cookout underscores the very best in luxury hospitality, an ethos Garnier Thiebaut USA was proud to represent.

As a Premier Sponsor, Garnier Thiebaut USA linens were featured in all of The Ritz Carlton’s restaurants and Cayman Cookout events hosted at St. June, Andiamo, Seven, and Blue by Eric Ripert; the highest-rated restaurant in the Caribbean and the region’s first to earn the AAA Five Diamond Award.

Our team had the pleasure of joining and collaborating alongside a select group of hospitality sponsors who share the same commitment and passion towards curating exceptional guest moments.

In addition to supporting dining services, Garnier Thiebaut USA supplied products woven exclusively for this year’s Cayman Cookout, gifting guests with commemorative Ritz-Carlton Twenty Year Anniversary Jacquard Kitchen Towels and Tote Bags. Our on-site sponsor booth also offered an exclusive preview of select Spring/Summer 2026 Retail designs alongside key styles from our permanent collections to guests of the event. Conceived as an interactive shopping experience, the booth emphasized Garnier Thiebaut USA’s approach to artistry and design, giving guests an opportunity to experience the quality and detail behind each collection.

A defining moment of the program was A Lunch at a Bouchon de Lyon, a French-inspired, family-style dining experience proudly sponsored by Garnier Thiebaut USA. Led by Chef Gérard Bertholon, alongside Chef Sébastien Espinasse, Chef Fabrice Guinchard, Chef Stéphane Grattier, and Chef Jérôme Rivoire, the lunch served as an homage to the 100th anniversary of Chef Paul Bocuse’s birth.

Often regarded as a pioneer of nouvelle cuisine, Bocuse helped shift French gastronomy away from rigid formality toward a style centered on seasonal ingredients, clarity of flavor, and technical precision, a legacy that echoes the French savoir-faire Garnier Thiebaut USA proudly upholds. His influence extended beyond the kitchen, reshaping the profession by elevating chefs into globally recognized cultural figures through competitions, media presence, and the founding of the Bocuse d’Or, now one of the most prestigious culinary contests in the world. As a linen supplier, we recognize the important role chefs play in shaping hospitality; it is our pleasure to celebrate them.

Throughout Cayman Cookout, our I Love My Chef line appeared naturally across the event, worn and used by chefs during demonstrations, curated dining experiences, and informal moments in between. First introduced in 2020 as a gesture of support during a period of unprecedented hardship for the restaurant industry, the line has since evolved into an ongoing expression of appreciation for chef talent and the communities they build.

Within the context of Cayman Cookout, its presence felt especially meaningful. The event itself is grounded in recognizing culinary excellence, collaboration, and the individuals who drive the industry forward. From kitchen towels and aprons to hats, bracelets, pins, and bandanas, the collection became a visible symbol of respect, echoing the spirit of the gathering and underscoring the idea that hospitality begins with honoring the people at its center.

From seeing the master chefs at work to classic games of pétanque, please enjoy some of our favorite moments from the 2026 Cayman Cookout.

As we look back on Cayman Cookout 2026, the Garnier Thiebaut USA team extends sincere thanks to Chef Eric Ripert, Chef Frédéric Morineau, and Keisha Parcells-Robb of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman for bringing this remarkable event to life. We are equally grateful to the chefs, partners, and sponsors whose creativity and commitment continue to define the character of Cayman Cookout. We are proud to have been part of such a meaningful gathering and look forward to fostering more opportunities for culinary connections in the years ahead. We also extend our appreciation to the entire Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman team, including chefs, back-of-house and front-of-house teams, managers, housekeeping, front desk, and all supporting departments, whose collective dedication made this event possible.