Out of the Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman: Inside Anchor & Den’s El Milagro Experience

On Wednesday evening I was invited as a guest of the Anchor & Den table at the Out of the Kitchen / Ark of Taste event at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

It was my first time experiencing this culinary event, which brings together chefs from fourteen of the island’s leading restaurants. Each restaurant hosts its own table, cooking and serving a series of dishes tableside throughout the evening — an immersive, beautifully curated experience.

With over 250 guests in attendance, it felt like one of those rare evenings where everything comes together effortlessly. And seated at the Anchor & Den table, we very much felt we had landed in the right place.

Anchor & Den’s “El Milagro” Concept

The Grand Cayman Marriott’s restaurant, Anchor & Den, went all out with a Mexican-inspired setting — overflowing greenery, candlelight, gold-leaf cocktail glasses, and hanging market lights. It felt vibrant, considered, and just a little theatrical.

The concept drew from the street food culture of Mexico City, layered with the artistic influence of Frida Kahlo. Their new menu, El Milagro, brought the two together in a way that felt both playful and elevated.

Frida Kahlo meets Lucha Libre.

The Food

The evening unfolded course by course, each one more inventive than the last.

There was a make-your-own chicken broth, rich mole with short rib and cacao, and a series of tacos featuring lionfish, octopus, and skirt steak. It was bold, unexpected, and full of flavour.

But the highlight, without question, was the final course — a bonbon box of intricately crafted chocolates, including a beautifully detailed chocolate skull. The level of detail across the entire table, from the food to the styling, felt almost cinematic.

And while every table brought something unique to the event, ours truly stood out. From the design to the energy — even our own dedicated bar — it felt like an experience in itself.

The Marriott’s Ever-Evolving Dining Scene

The Grand Cayman Marriott, or The Beach House as it’s now known, continues to set the tone when it comes to design and dining on the island.

Since its renovation, it has become one of the more forward-thinking spaces in Cayman — constantly evolving, always introducing something new. El Milagro feels like a natural extension of that, and one that will no doubt be well received.

The Details

Part of what made the evening feel so complete was the attention to detail beyond the table.

The team had arranged for hair styling at Rock Gorgeous Hair ahead of the event, and Lorraine created the most effortless fishtail braid that I’ll now feel slightly underdressed without. I had saved a bright yellow pineapple dress for something special, and this felt like the perfect occasion to wear it.

It was one of those evenings where everything — the setting, the people, the food — came together seamlessly.