If you were to think of island cooking, what would come to your mind? Some might think of fresh island fruits like pineapple, mango and papaya, chicken and pork cooked in a sweet and sour sauce, or grilled fish and rice. Others may think of an island barbecue with meats cooked over an open fire after being seasoned with a Jamaican Jerk rub. Some might think of spicier dishes with a Cajun flair or soups full of seafood, chicken, vegetables and beans served over rice. Because Caribbean cuisine has been highly influenced by Spanish, French, African, Asian, French, Dutch, Chinese and British cooking, all of these scenarios would be true depending which of the Caribbean islands you visit.

The tribes that originally inhabited the islands had simple cooking methods that used fresh fruits and vegetables with fish and chicken. With the arrival of Columbus came sugar cane, which flourished in the Caribbean. He also brought with him the first Spanish and French influences. Later, when African slaves were brought to the islands, they were given food that the slave owners did not want to eat. They used spices to make the food more palatable. Later, workers from China and India migrated to the islands, and two more culinary styles came to Caribbean cooking, as rice and curry were introduced.

Because of the combination of so many different cultures, the cuisine of the Caribbean has become a whole new experience, with characteristics of all cultures coming together to create a unique flavor.