Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month is back this May

Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month is set to return in May 2026, bringing back a month-long slate of food events that spotlights local cooking alongside visiting chefs of Caribbean heritage from the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

The annual culinary tourism initiative launched in 2023, with the 2026 edition following Antigua and Barbuda being named the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025 by the World Culinary Awards.

“Since its inception three years ago, we are proud to see the continued growth and popularity of Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month,” said The Honourable Charles Fernandez, minister of tourism, civil aviation, transportation and investment. 

“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. 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. We can’t wait to showcase an award-winning lineup of our own Antiguan and Barbudan chefs and welcome our Caribbean brothers and sisters to cook in celebration of our region.”

Chef lineup

This year’s guest roster includes British chef and TV personality Andi Oliver (Antiguan heritage), 2018 James Beard Best Chef: South and Food & Wine Best New Chef Nina Compton of Compère Lapin (St. Lucia), Trinidadian chef Tristen Epps-Long (Top Chef Season 22 winner), and Barbadian chef Paul Carmichael of Bar Kabawa and Kabawa, who recently received a three-star review from The New York Times.

Returning participants include Cambridge-based Antiguan chef Kareem Roberts and first-generation Antiguan and Barbudan chef and Chopped Champion Claude Lewis.

Additional participating chefs and beverage professionals listed by ABTA include Angel Barreto (Puerto Rico), Brigette Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago), Devan Rajkumar (Guyana), Kerth Gumbs (Anguilla), Maurine Bowers (Antigua and Barbuda), Suzanne Barr (Jamaica), and certified sommelier Jason White (Antigua and Barbuda).

Event schedule highlights

• May 3–17: Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, with over 50 local restaurants offering prix fixe menus at $25, $50 and $75
• May 21: Caribbean Food Forum, a regional food and hospitality conference presented by Grace Foods in partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Association (CTO), with in-person and virtual options
• May 22: Collaboration dinner at Rokuni at Sugar Ridge (St. Mary’s)
• May 23: FAB (Food, Art & Beverage) Fest at Cedar Valley Golf Course
• May 24: Puerto Rican-inspired BBQ at The Hut, Little Jumby
• May 27: Collaboration dinner at Catherine’s Café on Pigeon Point Beach
• May 29: Fundraising dinner celebrating Caribbean women chefs at Moon Gate Hotel & Spa, which ABTA says is due to open April 2026
• May 30: Finale beach party and cookout at Wild Tamarind Restaurant

ABTA also said the “Eat Like A Local” experience will return, highlighting a curated list of casual island cookshops and encouraging visitors to try local dishes including pepperpot and fungee, as well as goat water, ducana, and saltfish.

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