PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten’s culinary and mixology talent will compete against teams from 14 other Caribbean destinations when Taste of the Caribbean 2026 takes place in Barbados from November 16 to 19.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) announced the participating destinations on October 20, confirming an expanded competition program at Wyndham Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort.
Three new competitions—Beef, Seafood, and Vodka—will give participating chefs and bartenders more opportunities to showcase their skills on a regional stage.
Sint Maarten joins Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The announcement did not identify the individual members of Sint Maarten’s team.
Seven Competition Categories
This year’s program features seven categories: Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and the new Beef, Seafood and Vodka competitions.
Select teams will enter the Beef and Seafood competitions, which will test competitors’ techniques with proteins widely featured on Caribbean menus. The Vodka competition adds another platform for mixologists alongside the established Bartender of the Year contest.
Competitors will prepare dishes and drinks under the pressure of live competition, drawing on ingredients, culinary traditions, and contemporary techniques from their destinations.
For Sint Maarten’s representatives, the event offers an opportunity to showcase the island’s food and beverage expertise while exchanging ideas with professionals from across the Caribbean.
Training Alongside Competition
Beyond the competition, Taste of the Caribbean will feature educational sessions led by regional and international partners, including Certified Angus Beef, the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
CHTA describes the event as a platform for professional development, allowing participants to sharpen their skills, receive feedback from judges and build relationships with industry peers.
Junior competitors will also gain experience performing before a regional audience and working to demanding competition standards.
Registered attendees can watch the competitions and support participating teams.
Regional Awards and Hospitality Forum
The event will culminate in the Taste of the Caribbean Awards, recognizing the Caribbean Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Bartender of the Year, alongside winners of the new competitions and additional product-specific honors.
Taste of the Caribbean will run concurrently with the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, known as CHIEF. The gathering brings hospitality leaders together for workshops and discussions on challenges and opportunities in Caribbean tourism.
CHTA has also announced special accommodation rates at the host resort. According to the association, attendees booking at least two nights qualify for a $150 credit applied to their entire stay. Airline partners interCaribbean Airways and Winair are offering special fares for travel to the event.
Further travel and accommodation information is available at chtataste.com/travel-accommodations.