Tag: Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month

Where Culture Meets Cuisine: Antigua & Barbuda’s Culinary Month Returns

14 April 2026

A month-long celebration of Caribbean identity, talent, and taste takes over the islands this May.

Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the 2026 edition of its Culinary Month this May, with an expanded lineup of events, visiting chefs and destination-wide programming aimed at further positioning the twin-island nation as a culinary tourism player.

Running throughout the month, the initiative builds on a program first introduced in 2023, with a continued focus on showcasing local cuisine alongside chefs of Caribbean heritage from key international markets.

Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month

The schedule includes the return of Restaurant Week from May 3 to 17, with more than 50 restaurants offering prix-fixe menus at accessible price points, as well as the FAB Fest (Food, Art & Beverage Festival), which combines food vendors, chef demonstrations and live entertainment.

A series of ticketed events will take place throughout the month, including collaborative dinners featuring visiting and local chefs, a beachside BBQ event, and a closing cookout. A fundraising dinner highlighting Caribbean women chefs is also planned, aligning with broader efforts to spotlight regional talent.

Among the participating chefs are returning names such as Andi Oliver and Kareem Roberts, alongside newcomers including Nina Compton and Tristen Epps-Long, reflecting a mix of established and emerging culinary voices with Caribbean roots.

In addition to consumer-facing events, the Caribbean Food Forum will take place on May 21, bringing together industry stakeholders for discussions on hospitality and food systems. The hybrid format is expected to attract both regional and international participation.

The “Eat Like A Local” program will also return, directing visitors to casual dining spots and traditional cookshops across the islands, with an emphasis on everyday Antiguan and Barbudan dishes.

The initiative follows Antigua and Barbuda’s recognition as the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination in 2025, and forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the destination’s tourism offering beyond its established beach appeal.

Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month kicks off in May

20 March 2025
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority introduces Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month, a new, exciting extension of the island’s annual culinary series that has grown steadily since its launch in 2023.
 
During the month-long celebration in May, food lovers can discover local cuisine through the Eat Like A Local experience and also enjoy a robust schedule of signature dining events with visiting guest chefs exclusively of Caribbean heritage from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom who’ll partner with local chefs and restaurants on the island.
 
Also on the month’s schedule is the evolved Food and Art Experience, now theFAB (Food, Art & Beverage) Festival, the Caribbean Food Forum – a regional food and hospitality industry symposium, and themuch-anticipated Restaurant Week, featuring prix fixe menus at over 30 restaurants throughout the island.
 
“We are excited to see the growth of our annual culinary series,” said The Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment. “Since launching in 2023, our signature culinary initiative has grown into a beloved and highly anticipated month for food lovers, both locally and from abroad. Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month will continue to raise the visibility of our culinary excellence in the region and around the world, and we are certain our guests will be thrilled and impressed by the diverse food and cultural offerings. It is an important part of the Antigua and Barbuda Experience, along with other elements of our rich cultural identity to include music, art, and dance!  I invite everyone to join us in Antigua and Barbuda for this exciting month of celebration!”

About Antigua & Barbuda Culinary Month

This year’s lineup of guest chefs welcomes new faces as well as past attendees such as London-based Antiguan Chef Kareem Roberts, British Chef and TV personality Andi Oliver, and cookbook author and Creator behind Metemgee.com, Althea Brown.
 
There are 11 additional guest chefs. For the full roster, click here.
 

Event schedule

The month’s exciting schedule of events includes:
  • May 4: FAB (Food, Art & Beverage) Fest – Location TBA. The venue will be transformed into a food and art village where attendees can sample local food, be the first to collect Restaurant Week passports, taste bites from participating restaurants and guest chefs, and explore art from local artists and makers. This signature events marks the official launch of Antigua & Barbuda Culinary Month.
  • May 8: Collaboration dinner with Chef Andi Oliver and Chef Claude Lewis, both of Antiguan heritage, who will cook at Blue Waters Resort & Spa.
  • May 9: Multi-course cocktail party and dinner with London-based Chefs Kerth Gumbs and Kareem Roberts alongside the Rocks Group team at the newly reopened Rokuni at Sugar Ridge. 
  • May 11: Roti making demonstration and Mother’s Day brunch with Cookbook Author and personality behind metemgee.com, Althea Brown and the culinary team at Blue Waters Resort & Spa. 
  • May 13: Caribbean Food Forum presented by Grace Foods. This regional food and hospitality industry conference at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre 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 16: ‘Flavour in the Garden’, a progressive Caribbean food and beverage experience with live music at Bay Gardens, an island-style village mall with local artists, restaurants and more. The evening will feature welcome drinks from Kaffeine and Antilles Stillhouse, passed appetizers from Dawne’s Soleil Kafé, a family-style dinner from guest chef Kareem Roberts at Canvas, chocolate tasting and dessert from Antigua House of Chocolate and after dinner drinks from Door 78 Lounge. 
  • May 17: Baylay: A Roti Making experience with Cookbook Author and personality behind metemgee.com, Althea Brown. This intimate 14-person class will be followed by lunch prepared by Althea at the historic Weatherhills Estate, a restored 17th century colonial mansion.
  • May 18: Korean BBQ on the beach with Chef Angel Barreto at Antigua’s newest beach bar and restaurant, The Hut, Little Jumby.
  • May 23: Collaboration dinner with Chef Digby Stridiron and Chef/Owner Sylvain Hervochon of Casa Roots. 
  • May 30: Culinary Month Finale: Reggae Night and Caribbean Cookout Beach Party at Salt Plage at Siboney Beach Club with Chef Shorne Benjamin and Chef Suzanne Barr.
 
Back for a third year 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. 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. An interactive map can be found here.
 
In addition, Antigua & Barbuda Restaurant Week will be held between May 4 and 22, where over 30 local restaurants, and counting, will offer prix fixe menus at three price points: $25, $55 and $75.
 
For the latest information, list of participating restaurants, and details on special events hosted during Antigua & Barbuda Culinary Month, visit www.antiguabarbudaculinarymonth.com.