Ever tried Caribbean cuisine? If not, an event taking place in Brussels all this week could be just for you.

“Caribbean Week” (17 to 23 June) has been organised by the Brussels-based Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe and one aim is to showcase Caribbean food.

As vibrant and varied as the islands themselves, Caribbean cuisine is a tantalizing, multi-faceted stew of the many cultures and heritages that have shaped the region. Sampling the food can be a journey in itself and the result is an exciting gastronomy bursting with flavour as intense as the tropical sun.

The cluster of islands comprising the Caribbean makes for a dream holiday destination and is a long way from the dreary weather currently being endured by people in Belgium.

But for those unable to visit the islands themselves the “Caribbean Week” event in Brussels offers a great chance to sample its rich and varied culinary offerings.

Making a “guest appearance” is Derrick Orlando Satchell, better known as ‘Chef Orlando’, a British born, internationally-accredited and award-winning Caribbean celebrity chef.

All this week he has prepared a special, four-course Caribbean gourmet menu (€59pp, including a tropical welcome cocktail) which is a unique opportunity to experience the finest Caribbean cuisine.

The special menu has been created along with Jerome Ragon, the head chef at The Poet Restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel, just round the corner from the European parliament in Brussels. The week-long activities all take place at the hotel.

The Caribbean menu includes a watermelon and fresh pomegranate salad, Guyanese lamb curry (tender chunks of lamb marinated in spices and aromatics and cooked in a delicious sauce), tuna with avocado and plantain salsa.

Plantains originated from Southeast Asia but are a staple side dish in the Caribbean.

A delicious meal is finished off with an equally tasty spicy chocolate mousse.

Worth noting that the normal a la carte menu is still available. This consists of Belgian classics like The Poet Burger, Irish Beef Tenderloin, corn fed chicken, lamb shank and seafood such as salmon and sea bass.Deserts include apple and blueberry crumble and red fruit vacherin sansho.Prices start from as little as €16.

Apart from the restaurant’s special offerings, there is much more going on this week to celebrate the Caribbean.

It all officially kicked off on Monday, 17 June with the National Bartender competition, organised by the Union of Belgian Bartenders when participants used Caribbean-inspired spirits to create unique cocktails.The winner will participate in the world championships in Madeira from October 30 to November 3.

On Thursday, 20 June (7pm-9pm) The Poet hosts a poetry-inspired cocktail workshop featuring cocktails intended as a tribute to Caribbean laureates of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Caribbean Week continues on Friday, 21 with a music festival (6pm-11pm), again at The Poet, which celebrates the best of Caribbean music. On Saturday, 22 June, the region’s culture will be showcased at a gala dinner.

The Week wraps up on Sunday, 23 June with a national Latin dance competition and dance workshops, all aiming to promote the full range of Caribbean artistic skills. Participants will get the chance to learn a few Caribbean steps themselves.

The Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE), organiser of the event, is a non-for-profit organisation that endeavours to promote investment from Europe and the UK to stimulate economic growth for the Caribbean. It was founded by a team of business professionals from Belgium, France and the Netherlands working in the private sector.