Tag Archives: Island to table Virgin Islands

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.

From Coast to Coast and Beyond: A Year of Food, Family, and Travel

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A bowl of sautéed mushrooms served on a bed of arugula, with sides of macaroni, mashed potatoes, and asparagus in the background.
A beautifully plated dish featuring tender mushrooms, served in Vermont.

A Year of Journeys and Joyful Tables

For me, travel has always been about more than scenery—it’s about connection. Over the past year, I’ve journeyed from Costa Rica and Mexico to Philadelphia, New York, Vermont, Dallas, Puerto Rico, and more. Each meal—whether shared under tropical skies or around a family table—became a celebration of memory and flavor.

Last month, we talked about the “island‑to‑table” approach here on St. John—how every ingredient, from red hind grouper to mangoes, is chosen for its connection to the land and sea. This blog continues that story—through my travels and how those experiences feed my culinary vision.

Costa Rica & Mexico: Sunshine, Sand, and Flavor

In Costa Rica, the pace of life set the tone for meals—gallo pinto with just‑picked mango, fish fresh off the grill, and pineapples so vibrant they redefined sweetness. Mexico’s streets, in contrast, pulsed with energy—tacos al pastor, quesadillas, and buzzing markets taught me that authenticity is found in simplicity and passion.

These journeys reinforced the truth I bring home to St. John: when food is local, fresh, and rooted in place, it tells a story that enriches every bite.

Stateside Adventures: Philly, NYC & Vermont

The U.S. leg of my travels held its own lessons. Philadelphia’s cheesesteaks embodied comfort. New York offered an endless array—from bagels in Brooklyn to rooftop dinners in Manhattan. In Vermont, I slowed down: meals of farmstead cheese, heirloom vegetables, and warm maple syrup felt like a pastoral embrace.

Dallas Surprises & Puerto Rican Celebrations

Dallas’s Koreatown stunned me—banchan spreads and sizzling grills brought dinner to life. In Puerto Rico, I celebrated a birthday with mofongo, delicious mocktails, and sunsets that tasted of celebration. Meanwhile, trips to Arlington, VA and Wilmington, NC brought me back to what matters most, spending quality time with family.

Bringing It Back Home: St. John Catering

All these experiences reinforce one thing: food is connection, story, and memory. This isn’t just travel—it’s fuel I bring into every villa dinner and event with St. John Catering. Whether I’m serving reef‑caught snapper or island-grown mango, I build menus around the freshest ingredients, infused with the places and meals that inspired me.

And as in last month’s blog, my sourcing remains grounded in our community—working with local fishermen, farmers, and Josephine’s Greens for produce straight from soil to plate.

Let’s Create Your Next Culinary Journey

You don’t have to travel the world to taste it. At St. John Catering, I bring global inspiration and local authenticity to every table—whether for villa dinners, weddings, or special events.

Let’s make your next meal unforgettable—meaningful, delicious, and rooted in place.

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

Email: office@stjohncatering.com

A vibrant assortment of Mediterranean mezze in Philadelphia featuring dips, olives, and fresh vegetables, perfect for sharing and celebrating flavors.
A delicious plate of shrimp and grits from North Carolina, topped with fresh pico de gallo and green onions, showcasing a blend of Southern flavors.
Delicious tacos from Puerto Rico featuring fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese, served on a unique crispy breadfruit base.
Lechonera El Rancho de Apa. A traditional cooking setup featuring smoked meats in Costa Rica, showcasing the connection between food and culture.
A vibrant display of cacao pods alongside traditional grinding tools, reflecting the essence of local flavors and culinary traditions in Costa Rica.