Full hearts and full bellies followed a special Friday evening on Jost Van Dyke as the launch of this year’s Lime & Dine event kicked off a year of culinary activities scheduled for Food Fete 2025.
Thanks to a late return ferry organised by the BVI Tourist Board, Tortola residents and visitors can sample the nightlife on JVD each Saturday and Sunday until March 16 without having to book a stay on the island.
For Lime & Dine’s first night on Valentine’s Day on Friday, 32 people made reservations through the BVITB, according to BVITB Events Coordinator Sophia Rubaine.
But many more than 32 dined on JVD that night as charter boats filled up most of the mooring balls in Great Harbour.
The beginning of JVD’s Lime & Dine also marked the launch of Food Fete 2025, which has been a BVITB staple since 2014, Ms. Rubaine said.
“We all know how important a role our restaurants play in our tourism product,” she told the Beacon Monday. “Most of the time, it’s the biggest highlight for a visitor when they come to the BVI for vacation. That’s something that they remember: the food that they had. It definitely plays a major role in our tourism industry.”
Food Fete began 11 years ago as a series of culinary events running throughout the month of November. But in 2024 it was reformatted to cover most of the year — starting with the Valentine’s Day Lime & Dine on Jost Van Dyke and closing with the Anegada Lobster Festival at the end of November and the start of December.
Love and lime
The Jost Van Dyke event continued strong throughout the weekend, according to Ms. Rubaine, who said the BVITB took reservations for 29 people Saturday and 15 Sunday.
On Friday, residents with Valentine’s reservations were treated to drinks upon arrival to the West End ferry terminal, while women received a red rose.
Before boarding the ferry, attendees could also choose to have their photo taken in front of a love-themed backdrop.
After arriving at the ferry dock in Great Harbour, residents either hired a taxi or walked to their reservations at one of 15 participating restaurants on the island.
Upon arriving at their dinner destinations, couples found their tables decorated for Valentine’s Day. Some restaurants served up specials for the holiday, like the Tipsy Shark’s Cornish hen with a Coca-Cola glaze.
Several restaurants got an extra boost just after 7 p.m., when rain showers sent beachgoers running for cover.
Tessa Callwood, co-owner of Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, told the Beacon that a late ferry option is good for business on Jost Van Dyke.
“It’s kind of a double-edged thing,” Ms. Callwood said. “People from here could go to Tortola and get back, and people from Tortola can come here and get back also and have a night out. I think that it’s really needed.”
‘Be spontaneous’
The BVITB will make the reservations for the event, but Ms. Rubaine also encouraged residents to be “spontaneous.”
“This is a great opportunity to be spontaneous and open up your palate and try new things,” she said.
To sign up, residents can contact the BVITB on WhatsApp by messaging 442-1700 or by email at jostlimeanddine@bvitourism.com.
