Festival of the CooksFête des Cuisinières

The Fête des Cuisinières is an annual Guadeloupean festival honoring the island’s traditional cooks (mostly women) and their distinctive culinary costumes. Every August, hundreds of participants and spectators gather in Pointe-à-Pitre. The day begins with a church service for Saint-Laurent (patron saint), followed by a festive procession through city streets. Dressed in traditional Creole gourmet attire (embroidered apron and chef's outfit), the Cuisinières parade with music (quadrilles) and end with a communal lunch. The festival celebrates Creole culinary heritage, community solidarity, and pays tribute to the historical women’s mutual association 軍Les Cuisinières軍. 1 2

Originating in 1916 as a mutual aid group ('Les Cuisinières') founded by domestic workers, the festival now blends religious homage and cultural pride. Saint-Laurent (Saint Lawrence) is the patron saint of Griller, fitting the cooks’ emblem of grill and fish symbol. The festival underscores Guadeloupe’s French and Creole identity, featuring traditional cook attire and more than a century of continuous practice. It exemplifies local solidarity and women’s historical community support.