The 2026 Caribbean Baking Awards, hosted in Sint Maarten, have crowned Gabrielle Thomas, a talented pastry chef hailing from the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, as its Pastry Chef of the Year. Affiliated with the renowned local culinary brand The Vanilla Orchid, Thomas beat out dozens of competing professionals from across the Caribbean to claim the prestigious regional title, standing out as one of just nine nominees from Antigua and Barbuda shortlisted for honors at this year’s event.\n\nEstablished to celebrate excellence across the regional culinary baking landscape, the Caribbean Baking Awards shines a spotlight on outstanding bakers, pastry artisans, cake designers, and food-focused entrepreneurs from every corner of the Caribbean. This year’s awards program was integrated into a three-day industry festival, organized around the unifying theme “One Caribbean Baking Together,” which aims to foster growth across multiple interconnected areas: baking craft development, youth skills training, culinary tourism promotion, and cross-regional collaboration among Caribbean culinary communities.\n\nThomas’ latest achievement marks another milestone for Antigua and Barbuda, which has been steadily building its reputation as a hub of world-class baking and pastry talent across the Caribbean region. Industry observers note that growing recognition for the nation’s culinary professionals, like Thomas, not only elevates local craft but also strengthens Antigua and Barbuda’s profile as a destination for food-centric tourism across the Caribbean.
Gabrielle Thomas Wins Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year Award
