Tag Archives: chef-mathayom

Caribbean Christmas: Celebrate the Holidays in Style on St. John

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Holidays, Simplified (So You Can Just Show Up)

This season, let our team turn your getaway into a true Caribbean Christmas. From trimming a beautiful tree in your villa to cooking an island-to-table Christmas dinner (or a relaxed holiday luncheon), we handle the details so you can handle the memories. Book your flight, arrive in paradise, and we’ll make the rest effortless.

We’ve always believed great hospitality is equal parts flavor and thoughtfulness. That’s the heart behind our holiday service: curated décor, a polished service team, and menus that honor both tradition and place—so every gathering feels festive, delicious, and unmistakably St. John.

A Tropical Twist on Tradition

Think classic comfort, brightened by the Caribbean:

  • Tree & Trimmings: We’ll deliver and set up a Christmas tree with warm lights, coastal accents, and elegant ornaments—styled to your villa’s look and your preferences.
  • Tablescapes & Touches: Island-inspired linens, seasonal greenery, and candlelight that glow against the evening sea.
  • Villa-Ready Pantry: Pre-arrival groceries, breakfast staples, and holiday extras (think local jams, fresh breads, and sparkling refreshments).
  • Festive Sips: Sorrel mocktails or a holiday punch; we can also coordinate bar setup and staffing upon request.

Island-to-Table Holiday Menus

Our holiday offerings blend beloved classics with bright, local flavors. Menus change with availability, but here’s a taste of what we’re planning:

  • Starters: Conch fritters with herb aioli • Roasted pumpkin soup with coconut cream • Garden salad from Josephine’s Greens with citrus vinaigrette
  • Mains (choose one or mix & match): Citrus-herb roasted turkey with pan gravy, slow-braised short ribs with tamarind glaze, and reef-caught snapper with garlic-lime butter
  • Sides: Island stuffing with plantain & herbs, creamy mashed yuca or classic mashed potatoes, charred local vegetables, and rum-glazed carrots
  • Desserts: Guava bread pudding with vanilla sauce, coconut custard tart, and spiced ginger cake with whipped cream

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are always available. We’re happy to build a fully custom menu for multi-generational gatherings or intimate celebrations for two.

Christmas Dinner or Holiday Luncheon—Your Choice

Whether you’re planning a formal Christmas dinner, a relaxed Christmas Day luncheon, or a series of festive meals throughout your stay, we’ll match the tone you want:

  • Seated Villa Dinner: Chef-prepared, plated courses with professional service.
  • Family-Style Luncheon: A beautiful spread that invites lingering and second helpings.
  • Grazing & Canapés: For welcome parties, yacht days, or beach-picnic moments that feel spontaneous, but taste refined.

How It Works (Three Easy Steps)

  1. Tell Us Your Dates & Guest Count: Share your villa location, preferred date (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or the surrounding days), and any dietary preferences.
  1. Choose Your Style: Tree setup and décor only, full holiday meal, or the complete package. We’ll tailor menus and service to your plans.
  2. Arrive & Enjoy: We’ll handle provisioning, prep, staffing, and cleanup. Your job? Unwrap the view and make memories.

Rooted in Community, Crafted with Care

As always, we source thoughtfully, working with local fishermen and island farms like Josephine’s Greens to bring the freshest produce to your table. It’s the same “island-to-table” approach we shared last month, now dressed for the holidays: honest ingredients, careful technique, and warmth that lingers.

Let’s Make Your Caribbean Christmas Unforgettable

From sparkling trees to spectacular feasts, St. John Catering is ready to host your holiday—beautifully, seamlessly, and with the flavor of the islands in every detail.

Call Chef Mathayom at St. John Catering: +1 (340) 690-3868

Prefer email? Reach out to office@stjohncatering.com and we’ll begin planning your custom holiday experience.

A breathtaking view of St. John, showcasing the Caribbean Sea, lush greenery, and serene islands, perfect for a holiday escape.

How We Source Fresh Fish and Produce on St. John

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At St. John Catering, we believe that food tastes better when it’s rooted in place, when every bite tells a story of where it came from, who harvested it, and how it made its way to your plate. In last month’s blog, we shared how Chef Mathayom’s passion for food began in his childhood kitchen, where Thai-American traditions sparked a lifelong love for cooking and connection. Today, we continue that story by giving you a peek into the “island to table” philosophy behind each dish he prepares.

From Ocean Depths to Dinner Plate

On St. John, the sea isn’t just scenery, it’s sustenance. The fish served at your villa dinner might have been caught just hours earlier, hauled in by local fishermen who know these waters like their own heartbeat. This week, we’re featuring fresh red hind grouper, a beautifully mild, flaky fish, and tomorrow’s menu includes line-caught yellowfin tuna, procured directly from the dock and served with reverence for both flavor and sustainability. There’s simply no comparison to the taste of seafood enjoyed the same day it’s caught.

Island-Grown, Sun-Ripened, and Seasonally Inspired

The land here is just as generous. Take the mangoes, for example, sweet, golden, and warmed by the Caribbean sun. You’ll find them folded into chilled salads with mint, puréed into sauces with a hint of lime, or nestled beside grilled mahi and a glass of crisp white wine. From robust root vegetables and callaloo to heirloom eggplants and native herbs, St. John’s hillsides offer up seasonal produce that forms the foundation of every menu we create. Chef Mathayom doesn’t plan a meal and then source ingredients, he sources ingredients and then builds a meal around them. That’s how we honor both the seasons and the soul of the islands.

Our Favorite Local Farm: Josephine’s Greens

One of our most cherished sourcing partners is Josephine’s Greens, a small organic farm in Coral Bay known island-wide for its tender lettuces, peppery arugula, bok choy, edible blossoms, and fragrant herbs. Their greens add beauty, texture, and nutritional vibrance to many of our dishes, whether it’s a bright citrus-dressed salad or a colorful garnish atop grilled fish. These ingredients aren’t shipped in from far away. They’re nurtured right here on island, and that freshness is something you can taste.

We also work with farmers and purveyors on neighboring islands like St. Thomas and St. Croix, expanding our reach while keeping every bite authentically Caribbean.

Every Meal, a Moment

Our guests often tell us that dining with St. John Catering is one of the most meaningful parts of their trip, not just because the food is exquisite, but because it feels like it belongs here. Each menu is a custom expression of what’s fresh, what’s in season, and what suits the moment. Whether you’re toasting under twinkle lights after a beachside vow renewal or simply gathering your closest friends for a sunset dinner at your villa, we craft each dish with the same care Chef Mathayom learned as a boy: source with love, cook with intention, and serve with soul.

Let Us Bring the Island to You

You deserve meals that are as vibrant, natural, and nourishing as the view outside your window. With St. John Catering, every dinner becomes a love letter to the Virgin Islands—flavorful, beautiful, and completely unforgettable.

Let us bring the island to your table—with heart, heritage, and hospitality.

Call Chef Mathayom at St. John Catering: +1 (340) 690-3868

Email: office@stjohncatering.com