On a Tuesday evening in Toronto’s trendy Yorkville neighborhood, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority turned EPOS Cafe into a vibrant showcase of Caribbean culinary heritage, welcoming more than 20 journalists and digital content creators to its exclusive intimate event, “A Taste of Antigua and Barbuda”.
Attendees were greeted with handcrafted signature cocktails and alcohol-free mocktails as they arrived, before taking their seats for a carefully curated five-course gourmet dining experience. Every dish on the menu was conceived and prepared by celebrated Antiguan chef Giovanni Meyer, who drew deeply from the layered cultural history and vibrant native ingredients of the twin-island nation to craft each bite that tells a story of the destination.
Tameka Wharton, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Director for Canada, opened the event with a warm welcome to guests. Beyond highlighting the evening’s one-of-a-kind tasting menu, Wharton extended a formal invitation to all attendees and travel lovers across North America to experience the full breadth of the islands’ food scene in person during Antigua and Barbuda’s national Culinary Month, held this coming May.
Chef Meyer brings an impressive, cross-continental resume to his work showcasing his home country’s cuisine. He completed his foundational culinary training at two respected institutions: the local Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute, followed by advanced studies at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Before launching his work showcasing Antiguan flavor globally, Meyer honed his skills at top local venues including Carlisle Bay Resort and Sheer Rocks in Antigua, then refined his technique at world-renowned establishments overseas: he held a position at the Michelin-starred A Voce in New York City, and later worked at two of Toronto’s most acclaimed dining spots, Constantine and Byblos.
The Toronto event also drew another notable culinary guest: Canadian celebrity chef, TV host and cookbook author Devan Rajkumar, who was on hand to share his own upcoming connection to the islands’ Culinary Month. Rajkumar is set to travel to Antigua this May, where he will team up with a local Antiguan chef for the program’s headline closing event: a Finale Beach Party and Cookout hosted at the scenic Tamarind Hills property.
The immersive tasting event marks a key strategic push by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority to position the twin islands as a top culinary tourism destination, tapping into the growing global interest in food-centric travel experiences that connect visitors to local culture.