Antigua and Barbuda’s Culinary Month Is Back — With Harbor Dinners, Chef Demos and a Local Food Journey 

You can smell it before you see it — a curl of spice in the air, the sizzle of fresh seafood on the grill, the sound of laughter echoing down a cobblestone lane. Culinary Month has begun in Antigua and Barbuda, and the islands are alive with the flavors, rhythms, and stories of the twin-island hotspot. 

This year’s edition of Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week is more than just a week — it’s a month-long tribute to the twin-island nation’s vibrant culinary scene. From May 4 through June 2, the islands will host a series of immersive food-focused experiences that celebrate both local flavors and international innovation.

At the heart of it all: 65 restaurants offering prix fixe menus, each one designed to give diners a taste of something distinctly Antiguan. The dishes highlight the bounty of the islands — think freshly caught mahi-mahi, fungee and pepperpot, and tropical desserts that showcase coconut, guava, and tamarind.

But Culinary Month isn’t confined to the table.

Things kicked off this weekend with the opening of Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, a high-energy evening that brought together chefs, mixologists, artists, and entertainers for the Food Art & Beverage Festival.

The calendar ahead is packed with themed events, with our favorite being the Eat Like a Local tours that take visitors off the beaten path to discover roadside eats and backyard bites and bring you on a journey across the twin-island destination’s culinary landscape.

More than just an event, Culinary Month is a reminder that in Antigua and Barbuda, the cuisine is as rich as the views.

There’s also a big chef lineup. Here’s who’s participating this year:

Andi Oliver: British chef and TV personality, returning to celebrate her Antiguan roots.

Althea Brown: Guyanese cookbook author and creator of Metemgee.com, known for her Caribbean-inspired recipes.

Angel Barreto: Puerto Rican-American chef and James Beard Award finalist, renowned for his contemporary Korean cuisine at Anju in Washington, D.C.

Claude Lewis: Antiguan-American chef and Food Network’s Chopped champion, owner of Freetown Road Project in New Jersey.

Digby Stridiron: St. Croix native and chef behind award-winning restaurants Balter and Braata, recognized for redefining Caribbean cuisine.

Glendon Hartley: Co-owner of Service Bar in Washington, D.C., known for innovative cocktails and Peruvian-inspired dining experiences.

Kareem Roberts: London-based Antiguan chef collaborating with local culinary teams for special events during the month.

Kerth Gumbs: Chef at Fenchurch Restaurant in London’s Sky Garden, bringing over two decades of experience in Michelin-starred establishments.

Nadine Brown: Jamaican-Puerto Rican sommelier and hospitality expert, formerly with Charlie Palmer Steak, contributing her extensive wine knowledge.

Shorne Benjamin: St. Lucian-born, New York-based chef known for infusing Caribbean cuisine with modern flair, classically trained in French techniques.

Suzanne Barr: Toronto-based chef and advocate