The Caribbean’s most anticipated celebration of baking craftsmanship is gearing up for its 2026 edition, with Antigua and Barbuda set to bring strong local representation to the upcoming Caribbean Baking Awards (CBA) Festival Weekend. Scheduled to take place in Sint Maarten, the three-day industry gathering has announced that nine standout bakers and pastry specialists from the dual-island nation have earned nominations for this year’s prestigious honors.
Organized by the Caribbean Baking Awards, the annual festival has grown into one of the region’s leading events that ties together baking excellence, culinary tourism, youth skill development, and cross-regional connection. Uniting talented baking professionals from every corner of the Caribbean under the unifying theme “One Caribbean Baking Together,” the event aims to highlight the unique culinary identity of the region while fostering collaboration across borders.
The weekend of activities opens with the high-stakes Ultimate Bake-Off Competition, where six teams from across the Caribbean will go head-to-head in a live, timed baking challenge. The contest will push participants to showcase not just technical mastery and creative flair, but also their ability to infuse traditional Caribbean flavors into their creations, giving audiences a true taste of regional culinary heritage. Members of the public are welcome to attend all open activities, offering baking enthusiasts a chance to witness world-class skill up close.
A key highlight of the festival is the Youth Baking Showcase, a dedicated platform designed to lift up the next generation of Caribbean baking talent. The program gives young aspiring bakers the opportunity to display their work to industry leaders, build connections, and inspire more young people to pursue long-term careers in the baking and pastry arts.
The event will wrap up with the exclusive Caribbean Baking Awards All-White Gala, a formal evening that honors the region’s top bakers, pastry chefs, cake designers, culinary business owners, and industry trailblazers for their extraordinary contributions to growing the Caribbean baking sector.
To ensure the competition adheres to global industry standards, judging will be led by a diverse international panel of seasoned culinary experts. The panel includes Chef Nadine Anthony from Antigua and Barbuda, Chef Dominic Dart with roots in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, Chef Kareem Brooks of Sint Maarten, and a special celebrity guest judge, Chef Lincoln Alexander, from the United States.
Shanda Webster-Glasgow, founder and CEO of the Caribbean Baking Awards, emphasized that the steady stream of participation and support from Antigua and Barbuda underscores the country’s deep dedication to advancing culinary excellence and its expanding influence across the regional baking industry. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the nine nominees representing Antigua and Barbuda this year. Their passion, creativity, and dedication continue to raise the standard of Caribbean baking, and we look forward to welcoming them to Sint Maarten as we celebrate the very best our region has to offer,” Webster-Glasgow said.
Local residents of Antigua and Barbuda who wish to attend the festival and cheer on their hometown nominees can purchase tickets for the Saturday Ultimate Bake-Off Competition and all associated public festival activities via the official ticketing link: https://www.ticketpulse.events/event/aef2d955-8381-4d49-b5a5-2212b8db77a2/caribbeanbakingawardsfestivalweekend2026fruitopia. For those interested in attending the invite-only All-White Gala, reservations can be made through the official Caribbean Baking Awards channels. Once a reservation is submitted, a member of the CBA organizing team will reach out directly to the guest with an official payment link to finalize their booking.