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Cayman Connection, supported by the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK (CIGOUK) and the Friends of Cayman group has been promoting a virtual Christmas Caymanian culture gathering on Friday 18 December.

The event includes a partnership with Caymanian Chef Chad Scott, from GogoCarib, who will be making Cayman-style dishes delivered as holiday meals across the UK. And for dessert, rum cakes will accompany these holiday meals, thanks to Tortuga Rum Cakes which has also joined this special effort.

Originally envisaged as a small event to cater for up to thirty Caymanians unable to get home for Christmas, DART Scholar stepped in to ensure that no Caymanian students staying overseas during difficult times would miss out on the food and fun after a hard year, and the guest list is currently now over sixty five.

DART Scholar commented: "Dart Scholar is delighted to sponsor Cayman Connection's Virtual Christmas. Around the world Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends and enjoy delicious food and entertainment. We know that for many UK based Caymanian Students this year will be different, some can't come home, so we are helping Cayman Connection to deliver a little taste of home to them. We hope this virtual evening filled with the taste of home and heart-warming Caymanian entertainment brings some joy and we will look forward to seeing them all along with our Dart Scholars when they return. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone."

The event includes Christmas performances by Caymanians in London and Manchester, spoken word poetry by a student in Liverpool, Cayman Christmas storytelling with Rita Estevanovitch and a performance by steel pan performer Olujimi “Jimmeh” La Pierre in Cayman, to bring a slice of home to those overseas.

Long-time supporter of Cayman Connection, off shore Law firm, Mournat, was first at the helm to support the event. Hector Robinson QC, Partner at Mourant, said: “We're really pleased to be able to support this event and Cayman Connection. This year has been particularly challenging for everyone, especially those who have been kept apart from loved ones. We're so glad we can help play a part in providing some joyful Cayman spirit for those who will be so far away from home for the Holidays. Clearly this festive season will be different to what is normal for many families, but we're hoping events like this will still be able to bring everyone together for some good cheer."

Entertainment will be followed by Christmas games and virtual social engagement to bring some comfort to those far from home, and there are additional surprises including a fantastic offering from Cayman Airways.

Chef Chad Scott said “It was perfect timing to be approached by Cayman Connection, as I am relaunching my catering company GogoCarib. I am very happy to serve up food to Caymanians overseas at Christmas time. I am honoured to be a part of this network and event and pleased to be able to share my food and new company”.

Lauren Williams, student in Liverpool added “Being away from home is difficult particularly at this time, and being a student overseas has been very strange. So I am really happy to be a part of this event and to share my spoken word poem with other Caymanians in the UK and in Cayman.”

Final RSVP and registration for the event closes on Thursday 10 December at midnight by email to hello@caymanconnection.org.

André Ebanks, commented “The holiday season in the UK and Europe will certainly be different this year. But that does not mean that it cannot be made to feel as warm, caring, and festive as possible. In fact, current circumstances provide even more reason to do so. So with the holiday season swiftly approaching, CIGOUK relished the opportunity to think creatively with Cayman Connection and the Friends of Cayman group to bring Caymanians staying in the UK and Europe for the holiday season a tasteful and touching slice of home; while we all look forward to a promising new year.”