One of the things I missed the most about home when I lived away was the food. It’s crazy how many cultures influenced what we eat regularly in Trinidad and Tobago. You can literally taste our history.

I remember when I was a student at UWI, Mona a classmate’s husband was on a business trip in Trinidad. We stood up on campus, when we should have been en route to class, and she regaled me with his reports of all that he ate and how amazing it was. I remember saying the conversation was making me hungry.

In the last few years Trinidad has really developed a food culture. I think the most successful form of blogging locally is food blogging, because there are so many people doing amazing things. And, of course, the perk of being invited to try food for free.

But I wonder about people who are coming to visit, how would I guide them to the best places to eat while here. So I wanted to share the people with the best palates, who give advice I (a local) follow, and am rarely disappointed by.

1. Chef Brigette Joseph. She is an award-winning chef, and foodie who constantly travels the region. She is passionate about flavours and history. Food for her is a story waiting to be told.
   She is also a friend, and I highly rate her opinion. Because she is always travelling, she is also someone you could turn to for tips on where you can find the best eats across the Caribbean. She recently hosted a foodie trip to Barbados for their Food and Rum Festival.
   These oxtail spring rolls are heavenly. I had them at Jamaica’s 60th Independence anniversary celebrations and nearly died from happiness.
2. Zaak Mustapha or Foodie Tales With Zaak on Instagram (and I guess Facebook) is another fave. I met him on a David Wears food tour to Wally’s Smokehouse a few years back and have not been led-astray since. Zaak is a foodie, meaning that he loves the flavours and isn’t afraid to try new things. While there is range, I think he shines in the mid-range to street food category. He has also branched out into offering Toco tours which has been great for local cooking community there.
3. David Wears, better known as Foodie Run TT. David loves to drive and will find every nook and cranny that food is being sold. And if he likes it, he will share it. David is also an amazing photographer, so his food pics are these best in the business. I went to Wally’s with him (twice) it was fun. And his page will let you know the best place to get porridge in Carenage to geera pork and fries. He is also very opinionated, so when he says he likes something, he means it.

Special mention Baidawi Assing of EatAhFood. The name might be tongue in cheek, but the content is very serious. Baidawi is more interested in teaching you how to cook and explore new flavours in your cooking. But this makes his reviews even more impactful when he does them, because you can see the mind of the home cook who is thinking “how can I replicate this at home?”. His market tours and behind the scenes videos are the best, as is when he invites people into his kitchen to share their recipes with his audience.

Also, Afiya Francis of InSeason.Life. She is a lifestyle blogger who is the total package. I love her taste in general, so of course when she talks about food I listen. Afiya has also been featured on Baidawi’s channel, so you know she has taste.