The Bahamas’ Greatest Conch Chowder Has Officially Gone to Space
A Bahamian flavor has reached the final frontier. Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant’s signature conch chowder was part of the flight kit carried by Bahamian trailblazer Aisha Bowe aboard Blue Origin’s historic all-women New Shepard mission on Apr. 14. For the first time, a Bahamian dish joined the journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
“I folded the conch chowder and had it in my pocket,” Bowe recalled with a smile, reflecting on the moment she brought a taste of The Bahamas into orbit. The freeze-dried chowder was the result of a family idea — a collaboration between Bowe and her cousin, Graycliff’s Executive Chef Elijah Bowe.
A Culinary First
The moment is more than a novelty for Graycliff. “This is more than just our soup going to space,” said Enrico Garzaroli, owner of the iconic Nassau hotel. “It’s a celebration of Bahamian excellence and heritage.”
One of the limited-edition chowder packs will be auctioned to support Aisha Bowe’s STEM education initiatives in The Bahamas, part of her goal to equip one million learners with essential skills. Another has been encased and placed on display in the Graycliff Lounge as a permanent memento.
A Night of Honors
The preserved chowder pack was first unveiled during a special dinner hosted by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell in honor of British High Commissioner Tom Hartley — a moment that tied Bahamian culture, diplomacy, and culinary history together.
From Nassau to the Stars
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and the founder of edtech company LINGO, has become a global symbol of possibility. Her journey from a community college pre-algebra class to space has inspired young women around the world, particularly those pursuing careers in science and technology.
The auction details for the conch chowder pack will be announced soon. Until then, visitors to Nassau can see the space-flown chowder at Graycliff itself — proof that the flavors of The Bahamas are now truly out of this world.
