Baha Mar in the Bahamas has announced the return of its fifth annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival on Oct. 21 to 25.
The luxury resort destination’s premier event celebrates regional culinary excellence, artistic expression and Bahamian culture. This year’s lineup features a blend of returning and new internationally acclaimed talent.
Renowned chefs include Daniel Boulud, Marcus Samuelsson, Scott Conant, Dario Cecchini, Simeon Hall Jr., Amanda Freitag, Maneet Chauhan and Alfredo Villanueva, alongside newly added personalities Buddy Valastro, Esther Choi, Claudette Zepeda, Tristen Epps, Nina Compton and Lisa and Chris Binns. Leading beverage experts Marv “Mr. Mixx” Cunningham and Noah Rothbaum will also participate.
A core focus of the 2026 festival is the celebration of diverse Caribbean perspectives.
Bahamian chef Hall Jr. will showcase local island hospitality, while Saint Lucia-born Compton will blend Caribbean traditions with European techniques. Epps is set to present bold Afro-Caribbean flavors rooted in his Trinidadian heritage, and Jamaica’s Lisa and Chris Binns of vegan restaurant Stush in the Bush will highlight sustainable, gourmet farm-to-table vegan dining.
Key festival events include the Taste of Baha Mar on Oct. 23 — the signature walk-around tasting featuring live chef stations, inventive cocktails and a live musical performance by OneRepublic — and the Art of the Plate Foundation Dinner on Oct. 24, an immersive dining experience where each course is designed as a living artwork inspired by Caribbean artists.
Weekend passes are now on sale. The Gold Weekend Pass grants admission to the Taste of Baha Mar, two-day access to the Fuze Art & Culinary Expo (Oct. 24 to 25), the Art of the Plate Foundation Dinner and a curated welcome gift. The Platinum Weekend Pass elevates the experience with premium gifts and one-hour early VIP access to both the Taste of Baha Mar and the Fuze Expo.
