7 News Belize

The Original Lobster Fest
posted (July 2, 2012)
There are Lobsterfests all over Belize nowadays - but there's only one original Lobsterfest - and that's the one in Caye caulker. They started 17 years ago as a way to raise funds for their community - and give locals a chance to enjoy a delicacy that, honestly, many Belizeans have never eaten because it's too dear and too rare.

And so - with due deference to Placencia, San Pedro and even Bird's Isle - we travelled this weekend - as we have so many times before - to Caye Caulker for their Lobsterfest where the sweetest meat you'll find in a shell was in abundant supply:...

Jules Vasquez reporting
Belizeans flocked to Caye Caulker on Saturday - a mix of locals and tourists.

Neal Bradley, Founding Member - Caye Caulker Lobsterfest
"We have a very good turnout up top now and I must say that out Lobsterfest which is the original Lobsterfest has a different concept from the other Lobsterfest in that we want our Belizean people to come out to Caye Caulker and be able to get lobster in different shapes and forms and at a reasonable price."

A reasonable price for the king of crustaceans: Lobster.

Luis Alcoser
"It's called Losbstefest because we want the people enjoy it because it's affordable. The big ones are like $35 and we have the smaller ones for $25 and these ones for $30. We always try to make it affordable for the people."

And while it may seem expensive - it's actually cheaper on this weekend than at any time of the year

Luis Alcoser
"For these 3 days here you can get it cheap. These come directly from the fisherman - from us, we don't buy and sell - it comes from us. Myself is a fisherman and so we go out and catch it live - we just chopped it up and get it ready. We make everyone feels good by giving them a good price."

But an enjoyable price depends on what your budget is:

Isidoro Villamil, Grilled Lobster
"The biggest one I have is 4 pounds and I sell this one for $100 with two side dish; rice and beans and cole slaw. I put it first on the grill for a while and then turn it over, not make it too dry."

Reporter
"What type of special process you do to prepare, to make your lobster dish more special than the other person?"

Lobster Vendor
"We paste garlic butter on top of the lobster. That's what the people love."

Luis Alcoser
"The garlic is the power in everything; the butter and the garlic. That's the special ingredient for the lobster."

Neal Bradley, Founding Member - Caye Caulker Lobsterfest
"Like I said you can get stew lobster, you can get grilled lobster, you can get lobster ceviche, and there is a lot of other stuff going on."

Most of them will sell about two to four hundred pounds of lobster over the weekend - to a very grateful public.

Reporter
"How are you enjoying the Lobstefest that is going on?"

Elias, From Belgium
"Well as far I know the best thing was yesterday. Even when I saw Miss Lobster, I think she was called Sylvia; a very nice girl. When I saw her for the first time on the stage I just knew she was going to win and she did, so I a kind of very happy and now I am just looking for her because I would like to have a picture with her, so that's why I am here, but of course I am also going to eat some losbter."

Edwin, From Nigeria
"I never knew there is a place like this in Belize. It's been really fun, I've gone dancing and swimming and there are food, anything you want here. It's really fun here."

A local funfest with international flair - and some of the finest lobster in the world - what could be better?

Half of the funds raised go back to the island. This year the money will be used to finish two classrooms for the school.


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