Antigua and Barbuda wins top culinary destination honors

Antigua and Barbuda was named the World’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination and the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the 2026 World Culinary Awards. The wins add momentum to the islands’ push to grow food-led tourism and spotlight a 2027 Culinary Month return.

Why it matters: - The dual awards put Antigua and Barbuda’s food scene in front of global travelers and industry watchers. - The recognition supports the destination’s push to make gastronomy a bigger part of the visitor experience. - The honors also reinforce a tourism strategy that extends beyond beaches and resorts.

What happened: - Antigua and Barbuda received two major honors at the 2026 World Culinary Awards. - The destination was named World’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination. - Antigua and Barbuda also won Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination. - The World category recognition follows France’s 2025 win.

The details: - Shermain Jeremy, Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America and Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month Lead at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, said the award reflects the people shaping the destination’s culinary identity. - Jeremy said Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month has helped bring chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, local cooks and partners to the forefront of the visitor experience. - The annual celebration is designed to create more opportunities for visitors to explore, connect and experience the destination through food. - The culinary offer includes locally inspired cuisine, fresh island ingredients, innovative dining and traditional cooking. - Antigua and Barbuda’s food culture is being positioned as a defining part of the visitor experience.

Between the lines: - The awards give Antigua and Barbuda a stronger global tourism narrative at a time when destinations are competing on experiences, not just scenery. - The recognition also gives local food producers and hospitality operators a marketing boost tied to an international benchmark. - The culinary strategy appears aimed at broadening spending and attention across the islands’ food ecosystem.

What’s next: - Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month returns May 1-31, 2027. - The 2027 theme is “A World of Flavour. A Destination Worth Discovering.” - Planned events include Restaurant Week, FAB Fest, Food Forum and chef collaboration events. - The month will again spotlight local ingredients, restaurants, food producers and culinary talent.

The bottom line: - Antigua and Barbuda is using its culinary identity to deepen its tourism brand and win more attention from travelers seeking food-driven destinations.