Antigua and Barbuda officially launches Culinary Month 2026 at an exclusive press event at the James Beard Foundation

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) hosted an exclusive presentation for U.S. media to launch Culinary Month 2026 at Platform by the James Beard Foundation restaurant on Pier 57 in Manhattan. The intimate dinner brought together food journalists, opinion leaders, and culinary experts for an experience designed to showcase the creativity, identity, and cultural richness that define the Caribbean destination's gastronomy.

The culinary offering was curated by a team comprised of some of Antigua and Barbuda's most renowned chefs: Claude Lewis, Antiguan-American restaurateur and winner of Food Network's Chopped ; Kareem Roberts, British-Antiguan chef and author of Islands in the Sun ; and Maurine Bowers, executive chef of Moongate Antigua. They were joined by special guest chef Devan Rajkumar, a prominent figure in Caribbean gastronomy known for his bold style and Guyanese and Trinidadian influences. The evening featured a multi-course menu that reinterpreted traditional flavors with contemporary techniques, and a carefully curated selection of wine pairings by Jason White.

The drinks menu featured two original creations by mixologist Ralph John Emmerson: Footprints in the Sand , made with 5-year-old English Harbour rum, pineapple, blackcurrant, lime, and habanero; and Sun Is Shining , a non-alcoholic blend of pineapple, sorrel, ginger beer, and lime. Both cocktails were designed to convey the vibrant warmth of Antigua and Barbuda.

Among those in attendance were Colin James, Executive Director of ABTA; Dean Fenton, Director of Tourism for the U.S.; Arah Robins, Marketing and Public Relations Executive for the U.S.; and Devin Joseph, Nautical Business Development Manager. Also participating were Shermain Jeremy, Special Projects and Events Manager; and His Excellency Walton Alfonso Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations. Their presence reinforced the destination's commitment to the international promotion of its gastronomy and to consolidating culinary tourism as a strategic pillar.

Culinary Month 2026, running from May 1st to 31st, is poised to be the most comprehensive edition to date, with a program that combines exclusive gastronomic experiences, collaborations with guest chefs from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and activities celebrating local culture. Restaurant Week, scheduled from May 4th to 17th, will offer special menus at various establishments throughout the destination, while the "Eat Like a Local" map will allow visitors to explore authentic Antigua cuisine. The calendar also includes the Caribbean Gastronomic Forum on May 21st and the FAB (Food, Art, and Drink) Festival on May 23rd.

As part of its promotional activities, ABTA hosted a preview event in New York on November 12, 2025, at The Platform by the James Beard Foundation. The event featured an immersive culinary experience titled “Reinterpreted Culinary Traditions.” It included a welcome cocktail, a multi-course menu, wine pairings, and a Q&A session with the chefs, highlighting the African, Indigenous, and European roots that influence the destination's cuisine.

The launch of this new edition reaffirms the goal of positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a leading culinary tourism destination in the Caribbean. According to Colin James, Executive Director of ABTA, “Culinary Month provides an opportunity to share the essence of the country through its gastronomy, its cultural heritage, and the talent of its chefs,” thus reinforcing the destination's international profile and its commitment to innovation in gastronomic experiences.