ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CULINARY MONTH RETURNS WITH EXCITING LINEUP OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT MAY 2026

Series Features FAB Fest, Eat Like a Local Experience, and Headlining Chefs of Caribbean Heritage Including Andi Oliver, Nina Compton, Tristen Epps-Long and More

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is excited to announce the May 2026 return of its annual culinary series, Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month. Since launching in 2023, the culinary 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 the United States, United Kingdom and Canada 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.

"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."

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.

The full roster of participating chefs and beverage professionals include**:

The full schedule of events with details and booking info will be posted here and includes:

Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month is proudly supported by ACB Caribbean, the official financial services sponsor, Red Stripe Beer, and Siboney Beach Club, official host hotel sponsor. Visit www.antiguabarbudaculinarymonth.com for updates.

Contact: Charissa Benjamin, Savor PR [email protected]

ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAAntigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew'da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches - one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson's Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua's tourism events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua's smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua and Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/antiguabarbudaFacebook: www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda

SOURCE The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority