By Aabigayle McIntosh

The second annual Restaurant Week continued on Tuesday morning with the launch of a food forum.

The flagship event brings together chefs, food enthusiasts, tourism experts, hospitality leaders, and sustainability advocates to discuss not just the challenges facing the food sector but also possible solutions. 

“We want to discuss innovation, we want to discuss global fusion, and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is going to be the official pot spoon. We’re going to stir the pot of creativity and we’re going to foster collaboration and innovation in our culinary and hospitality industry.”.

During the first discussions organized for the 2024 food forum, there was a key theme; there’s a demand for local cuisine. 

“It’s a foodie experience, it’s a foodie train. People travel these days because of the food. we have such a rich culinary culture here in the Caribbean which we take for granted but our food is off the chain. “James said.

Speaking to the potential for diversification in alcoholic beverages, the Director of Agri-tourism Jesse Thomas praises Antilles Stillhouse for the brand identity they have created.

“It is an alcoholic beverage… botanical alcoholic beverage which you can find no place in the world but Antigua. The taste is bespoke and nostalgic to the Antiguan experience.”

While there is a need to accommodate the palettes of tourists, guest chef, and founder of the West Indies Chef Alliance Digby Stridiron warns that should not come at the cost of the region’s cultural heritage.

“I love Italian food but I’m going to tell you right now, if you go to Italy nobody is going to call their meals dumplings to make you comfortable. they’re very proud of who they are,” he said.

“How do we allow them to be a part of us? our culture. it starts with the food and being proud of our food. it’s saltfish and dumplings and that’s a ducana.

Tell your Friday. that’s not a coconut dumpling. there’s a reason why it was called a ducana. there’s a story behind it, how it got here and that story is a part of our culture and it sustains us.