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We may be entering the autumn months in the UK but the warmth of the Caribbean is all year round with Curated Caribbean!
No matter the weather outside, our mission is to keep you warm by bringing you the best of Caribbean culture and creativity in the UK.
This month things are heating up in Herne Hill with the launch of 2210 by NattyCanCook and if you're a connoisseur (or newbie) to rum then you may want to head over to the RumFest 2025, where you'll get to taste rum from all over the world and enjoy Caribbean food, masterclasses and music.
Plus October marks the start of Black History Month, so we've got you covered there too.
Keep reading to find out more and to discover other Caribbean inspired events and products you won't want to miss!
Curated Caribbean Picks: Top Discoveries
The Black Culture Market supports emerging entrepreneurs of African & Caribbean descent & new Black-owned businesses with opportunities to showcase and sell their products.
Their next event will be taking on the 4th & 5th October in the heart of Brixton at the Department Store.
Image from @blackculturemarket
Opening 9 October, Chef Nathaniel Mortley is opening the doors to 2210 NattyCanCook, a Pan-Caribbean restaurant which blends his Guyanese, Bajan and German heritage.
Named in honour of his grandmother, who first inspired his love of food, 2210 promises storytelling through flavour.
Recently spotlighted by Conde Nast Traveller as “One to Watch” at the 2025 Top New Restaurant Awards, Natty follows his acclaimed Peckham residency at The Greyhound with this new venture, redefining Caribbean dining.
RumFest is back on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th October, hosted by Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell.
This October, they will be bringing together more than 400 rums from across the globe. From rare and small-batch bottles to familiar favourites and new discoveries.
Alongside tastings, enjoy masterclasses with distillers, ambassadors and rum experts, plus Caribbean music and food.
Image from @ukrumfest
Stratford East is bringing the legendary 1972 Jamaican film The Harder They Come to the stage until 25 October.
The story follows Ivan, a young dreamer in Kingston determined to make it as a singer on his own terms. But after signing a deal with a crooked music mogul, he finds himself caught between rising stardom and the law.
Set against the backdrop of 1970s Jamaica, the show explores ambition, injustice and the cost of defiance, all powered by a sensational soundtrack.
Expect Jimmy Cliff hits like “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross” alongside brand-new songs.
Image from @stratford_east
St. Lucian Association of London will be celebrating Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day) in Bristol this year!
Jounen Kwéyòl is an annual celebration dedicated to Creole language, culture, and heritage in several Caribbean territories, especially in the French Caribbean islands like Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Martinique.
Join them for the weekend on 17th - 19th October for a historical walking tour/talk, drumming workshop, shopping, dinner, and dance. Followed by a Commonwealth Society tour, and coconut workshop.
Photo from @slal1963
Fancy a Caribbean lunch in the City? Then head to Original Flava's new location at Boxhall City Food Hall in Liverpool Street, their first central London kitchen.
Customers can still expect bold, authentic Caribbean flavours with a twist. The menu features classic dishes like smoky jerk chicken and melt-in-your-mouth curry goat, along with new menu items such as healthy protein bowls and grab-and-go wraps.
Photo Original Flava logo
This Black History Month, the award-winning festival, Black East Fest returns to Hackney Bridge on 11th & 12th October with street food, cocktails, DJs & more for one last time in 2025!
The Black Eats directory is the ultimate guide to discovering and supporting Black-owned restaurants, cafes, bars, and more.
Photo from @blackeatsldn
Husband-and-wife duo, the creators of the delicious Bon Mangé sauce, are back with another unforgettable evening of St Lucian cuisine. Their much-loved supper club, Bon Mangé Sessions, returns for Volume 2 on 26th October at 83 Rivington Street, London, EC2A.
On the menu, you’ll find a mouth-watering selection including saltfish fritters, crab and callaloo bouyon, stewed pork with breadfruit croquettes, and plenty more. Vegan options will also be available, so no one misses out.
Having attended one of their previous events (and being a huge fan of their sauce), I can confidently say this is not to be missed!
Photo from @bonmange
Explore migration as resistance and reinvention through film, literature, and lived experiences at the V&A Academy on Saturday 18th October at their Moments Away From Home: Migration on Film and in Words event.
Uncover stories of displacement, incarceration, survival, and solidarity, celebrating diasporas, new voices, and the power of culture and community.
Photo of V&A logo
Cards to uplift you in the autumn and winter months
Autumn and winter can be challenging, with its colder days and longer nights, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find moments of joy. Our brightly coloured products are here to lift your spirits, or to brighten the day of someone you know who might be feeling the seasonal blues. Share a little cheer with an uplifting greeting card.
Missed these?
Curated Caribbean discoveries from the last edition that are still worth checking out!
Last month we highlighted The Black British Book Festival, UK & Europe’s biggest black literature festival, which takes place on 19th October at the Barbican Centre, celebrating Black British Authors.
Or how about listening to author Keshia Sakarah, creator of the beautifully crafted cookbook 'Caribé', with host Monique on the Writing Black Joy podcast, which is a podcast dedicated to celebrating Black creatives whose joyful narratives are changing the world one story at a time.
Caribbean Taste of the Month
Born in Barbados, Riddim Snacks is an award-winning, culturally-inspired snack brand. Each snack aims to capture the essence of the region, in its simplest form - its flavours and energy.
With exciting flavour combos like:
- Cocoa Tea Popcorn
- Coconut Punch Popcorn
- Sweet Biscuit Popcorn Popcorn
- Scotch Bonnet and Chedduh Plantain Chips
- Lime + Sea Salt Plantain Chips
- Jerk BBQ Plantain Chips
They definitely 'bring the Caribbean to your snack bag!'
Image by Tihara Smith
More Discoveries
This month, I’ve come across even more incredible finds that simply had to be part of Curated Caribbean! Here are some additional gems to explore:
Eden Mullane
Eden Mullane is a Norfolk-based artist, heavily influenced by her multicultural British-Caribbean Heritage. Often, she explores her Jamaican cultural roots through bold colour and lush landscapes, sharing an authentic glimpse into her rich cultural narrative.
As a descendant of the Windrush Generation and having often visited Jamaica as a child, Eden often taps into these experiences through her work. Her notable piece titled ‘A Vista from Port Antonio’ which featured in Sky Arts: Landscape Artist of the Year and BBC News.
Her work is stunning and really captures the colours and beauty of the Caribbean.
Image from @edenmullanestudio
Borough22 Doughnuts
Borough22 x Pure Grenada are serving up Black History Month sweetness!
Try these three Grenadian-inspired doughnuts:
Cocoa Tea – spiced chocolate with nutmeg, clove & cinnamon
Nutmeg Glazed – a twist on the OG vanilla glazed
Sorrel Glazed – hibiscus with ginger, clove, nutmeg & allspice
Order online or grab a box at Selfridges to taste the Caribbean!
Image from @borough22doughnuts
The Black Farmer
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is the Founder of The Black Farmer.
Wilfred was born in Jamaica and raised in inner-city Birmingham as part of the Windrush generation and opened the first store in Brixton, and his second one more recently in the heart of the TV Centre in White City.
I've long been a fan of the Black Farmer after visiting their store in Brixton and discovering so many delicious fresh treats.
In store you will find their award-winning sausages and premium meats to freshly baked goods, deli items and gifts.
Look out for The Black Farmer in your local stores too as some of their best sellers can be found in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Ocado, and the Co-op.
If you can't get to the store then you can buy online too.
Image from @blackframer
Know Your Caribbean
Know Your Caribbean is an educational platform dedicated to all things Caribbean, with a mission to celebrate and share the region’s rich history, culture, and heritage.
The platform offers online education, live events, literature, and more to inspire and empower communities across the Caribbean and the diaspora.
From 22th –27thOctober, Know Your Caribbean invites you to join it's founder and historian Fiona Compton in St. Lucia for six unforgettable days.
Look forward to hidden history tours, authentic Creole cooking, soothing mineral baths, and the joy of dancing at the Creole Day Festival.
Image from @knowyourcaribbean
Afrori Books
Afrori Books is a multi-award winning bookshop and your haven for books by black authors.
You can find Afrori Books in The Brighthelm Centre, Brighton where as well as browsing their wide selection of books you can pop in for a reasonably priced tea, coffee and sometimes cake.
Look out too for their events as they are also a social enterprise who supports and runs community events.
They have an incredible selection of books available online too!
Black History Month
tiharasmith.com/blackhistorymonth
The 1st October marks the start of Black History Month. The theme this year is "Standing Firm in Power and Pride", which celebrates the resilience and strength of Black communities and acknowledges the profound contributions of Black leaders, activists, and pioneers while looking toward continued empowerment and growth.
Find out more and discover events to celebrate Black History Month
Share Your Caribbean Discoveries!
Get in touch!
Have you come across any inspiring stories or exciting discoveries celebrating Caribbean culture and the diaspora? Whether it’s Caribbean fashion, Caribbean food, or Caribbean-inspired art, I’d love to spotlight your discoveries. I’d especially love to hear about hidden gems or events outside of London. Email hello@tiharasmith.com to share your finds with me, and I’ll do my best to feature them in the next Curated Caribbean to share with our community!
About Tihara Smith
Tihara is a fashion designer and textile artist passionate about design, the Caribbean and sharing the Windrush story. She loves creating distinctive pieces that allow people to have a little piece of the Caribbean 🌴✨
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in this blog post. For any questions about their products or services, please contact them directly.
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