Three Celebrity Chefs have arrived on the island and will be sharing their skills with local cooks within the tourism industry. The initiative is part of Antigua and Barbuda’s inaugural Restaurant Week which officially kicked off today Sunday.

Acclaimed soul food chef, Top Chef contestant and TV host: Tanya Holland; celebrated Jamaican-American Chef DeVonn Francis; Food Network’s Chopped Champion and Antigua Chef Claude Lewis will all grace the kitchen with their presence here.

Shermain Jeremy, Marketing Officer at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority said Chef Tanya Holland will host The Wild Tamarind Restaurant at Tamarind Hills, for a culinary experience on Tuesday evening.

“The chefs will also spend time touring the country with guides, tasting the local cuisine and produce, to learn more about the history of gastronomy in Antigua and Barbuda,” she said

The new annual event according to tourism officials has been designed to showcase the best the twin island has to offer in culinary – from favorite local casual hotspots to three-course menus at the best restaurants on the islands.

Not only will local chefs be showcasing their best work, but celebrity chefs from around the world will be joining to help elevate awareness of this exciting new event, tourism officials said

Tourism Minister Charles Max Fernandez said “we are thrilled to welcome such an incredible roster of international and local chefs to help support the launch of our new flagship Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week. Not only will it help us raise visibility for our gastronomy in the region and around the globe, but it is going to play an important part in helping us foster our on-island culinary talent,” said Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Charles Fernandez. “We can’t wait to taste the culinary wonders these chefs will be preparing to highlight the local wonders of Antigua and Barbuda. We’re sure our guests’ eyes and tastebuds will be delighted”.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin James said this has been an incredible year so far for Antigua and Barbuda

“We are seeing travelers around the world choose Antigua and Barbuda as their vacation destination in unprecedented numbers. Key to this demand for year-round visits is our packed calendar of events. Traveling and experiencing local cuisine goes hand-in-hand with making sure you have an extraordinary visit. By adding Restaurant

Week to our calendar we are highlighting our local talent and showcasing our exceptional culinary scene for visitors and residents alike,” he added.