By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ May will see the return of Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month, a tourism initiative that continues to grow with a focus on local Antiguan and Barbudan food and chefs alongside guest chefs who are exclusively of Caribbean heritage.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), which launched the annual culinary series in 2023, celebrated the event with media in Toronto last week with a special event featuring island-inspired cocktails and a five-course meal highlighting island food favourites.
Attendees learned and that the Caribbean island’s cuisine reflects a blend of tradition, local ingredients, and cultural history, combining fresh, tropical flavours with comforting staples.
Foods like wood bread, traditionally baked in wood-fired ovens, highlight everyday island life, while ingredients such as tamarind add a distinctive tart flavour used in sauces, drinks, and glazes.
Fresh seafood like mahi mahi and spiny lobster, along with locally grown produce such as sweet potatoes, cassava, christophine and pumpkins, showcase the islands’ natural resources. At the same time, dishes like goat water reflect long-standing culinary traditions, while staples like pickled meats and saltfish trace back to the colonial era and the need for preserved foods.
Core ingredients like cornmeal and okra are central to dishes such as fungee and pepperpot, while diverse cultural influences – including Middle Eastern, Caribbean and European communities – continue to shape the cuisine. Sweet, tropical elements like the Antigua black pineapple and a variety of mangoes complete the experience, highlighting the islands’ rich agricultural heritage.
Culinary month
Meanwhile, the culinary month tourism initiative continues to grow with a focus on local Antiguan and Barbudan food and chefs alongside guest chefs who are exclusively of Caribbean heritage.
During the monthlong celebration in May, food lovers can discover local cuisine through the Eat Like A Local campaign, enjoy islandwide prix-fixe menus during a two weeklong Restaurant Week and explore Antiguan culinary traditions at the signature FAB (Food, Art & Beverage) Fest.
Guest chefs of Caribbean heritage from Canada, the U.K. and U.S. will cook at special events throughout the month, while the hospitality, agriculture and public service sectors will come together at the Caribbean Food Forum, a regional food and hospitality symposium. The monthlong celebration comes on the heels of Antigua and Barbuda winning the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025 from the World Culinary Awards.
This year’s lineup of guest chefs welcomes past attendees such as Cambridge-based Antiguan Chef Kareem Roberts, British Chef and TV personality of Antiguan heritage, Andi Oliver, and first-generation Antiguan and Barbudan Chef and Chopped Champion Claude Lewis. Fresh faces include 2018 James Beard Best Chef: South and Food & Wine Best New Chef Nina Compton of Compère Lapin, Trinidadian Chef Tristen Epps-Long, winner of Top Chef Season 22, and Barbadian Chef Paul Carmichael of the highly awarded Bar Kabawa and Kabawa, recent recipient of a 3-star review from The New York Times.
Schedule of events
- May 3-17: Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, where over 50 local restaurants will offer prix fixe menus at three price points: $25, $50 and $75.
- May 21: Caribbean Food Forum presented by Grace Foods. This regional food and hospitality industry conference hosted at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre with partner, The Caribbean Tourism Association (CTO), will feature hospitality professionals, industry leaders and food systems experts from the Caribbean. This is a hybrid event with virtual and in-person attendance options.
- May 22: Collaboration dinner with UK based Chefs Andi Oliver, Kareem Roberts and Kerth Gumbs at Rokuni at Sugar Ridge, St. Mary’s.
- May 23: Culinary Month’s signature event, FAB Fest will feature chef and mixologist demonstrations, local food vendors, music, performances, local artists and more at Cedar Valley Golf Course, which will be transformed into a food and art village.
- May 24: Puerto Rican-inspired BBQ with Chef Angel Barreto featuring DJ and live entertainment at Antigua’s hottest beach bar and restaurant, The Hut, Little Jumby.
- May 27: Collaboration dinner with Chefs Paul Carmichael, Tristen Epps, and Claude Lewis at Catherine’s Café on Pigeon Point Beach.
- May 29: Fundraising dinner celebrating Caribbean women chefs featuring Brigette Joseph, Maurine Bowers, Nina Compton and Suzanne Barr at Moon Gate Hotel & Spa. The highly anticipated hotel and restaurant are due to open in April 2026.
- May 30: Culinary Month finale beach party and cookout at Wild Tamarind Restaurant featuring Chef Devan Rajkumar and Wild Tamarind Executive Chef Amalin Raj alongside Antigua-based pastry chefs including Jahkaydah Isaac of The Flaky Crust and Kendel Harrigan of The KenDen.
Back by popular demand is the “Eat Like A Local” experience, which highlights a carefully selected list of casual island cookshops from Antiguan and Barbudan restaurant owners and cooks.
“When we launched in 2023, our goal was always to highlight the rich culture and diverse food of Antigua and Barbuda, and to celebrate our culinary excellence here in the Caribbean,” says tourism minister Charles Fernandez. “Culinary Month provides food lovers and culture seekers from around the world the unique opportunity to experience Caribbean cuisine through a different lens, and we raise the standards for guests every year.”
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority encourages visitors to sample pepperpot and fungee, national dishes that are beloved on the island, as well as goat water, ducana, saltfish and more.
For the latest information, list of participating restaurants, and details on special events, visit www.antiguabarbudaculinarymonth.com.
Canadian representation
Meanwhile, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has announced the appointment of Aldeen Consulting as its public relations agency of record in Canada. Led by Adrienne Harry, the team are responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies, including media relations, messaging, and industry engagement activities aimed at strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s position in the market.
“Adrienne began as our content creator strategist, where her creativity, resourcefulness and strategic thinking quickly led to an expanded role,” said Tameka Wharton, Director of Tourism, Canada. “Her appointment is another step in our broader commitment to fully resource our sales and marketing efforts in Canada to increase awareness of and visitation to Antigua and Barbuda.”
Harry can be reached at adrienne@aldeenconsulting.com.
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