Photo captions: (left) Chef Giovanni Meyer at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s Taste of Antigua and Barbuda culinary event in Toronto, Canada (Photo courtesy the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority).
(Right) Chef Giovanni Meyer Official Top Chef Canada season 13 participant photo (Photo courtesy Flavour Network).
TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is congratulating Chef Giovanni Meyer following his selection as one of 12 competitors on season 13 of Top Chef Canada.
Chef Giovanni, who operates under his private-chef brand Pinch of Black Salt, has worked closely with the ABTA Canada Office to showcase the flavours, ingredients and culinary traditions of Antigua and Barbuda to Canadian audiences.
“We are incredibly proud to cheer Chef Gio on as he takes this next step in his culinary journey,” said Tameka Wharton, Director of Tourism, Canada. “Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working with him to bring the authentic flavours of Antigua and Barbuda, along with his distinctive culinary vision, to our events in Canada. Seeing that talent now recognised on a national platform is a wonderful moment for Chef Gio and for Antigua and Barbuda.”
In March, Chef Giovanni curated a five-course dinner, inspired by the history and flavours of Antigua and Barbuda, for the ABTA’s A Taste of Antigua and Barbuda culinary event hosted for media and content creators in Canada. In June, he mentored 12-year-old junior chef Gigar Campbell, who represented the destination, to a first-place finish in the Grace Junior Chef Challenge at the Island Eats Toronto Food and Travel Festival.
For Chef Giovanni, the experience provided the encouragement he needed to take his talents to the Top Chef Canada kitchen.
“It was my participation in the culinary event that really inspired and encouraged me to enter Top Chef Canada,” Chef Giovanni said. “The positive reception I received from all of the guests let me know that I have what it takes to put my culinary vision out there in a bigger way.”
Chef Giovanni trained at The Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) and the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA). His resume also includes stints at Carlisle Bay Resort and Sheer Rocks in Antigua, as well as Michelin-starred A Voce in New York City, and Toronto’s Constantine and Byblos restaurants.
His Top Chef Canada appearance comes at a time of growing recognition for Antigua and Barbuda’s chefs and culinary scene. The destination continues to showcase its culinary chops during its annual Culinary Month held every May, and has also been voted the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025 by the World Culinary Awards.
Top Chef Canada returns for a landmark 13th season, celebrating the Canadian culinary dream as 12 of the country’s most talented professional chefs, including three returning alumni, vie for the prestigious title of Canada’s Top Chef. It premieres to Canadian audiences Tuesday, October 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Flavour Network and streaming exclusively on STACKTV.
To learn more about Chef Giovanni Meyer visit the Pinch of Black Salt Instagram page and website.
For more information about Antigua and Barbuda, visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com.
###
ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only continuously working Georgian era dockyard in the world, and a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the Antigua Racing Cup, Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month, the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival and Antigua and Barbuda Art Week. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.
Find information on Antigua and Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us:
Facebook – @visitantiguaandbarbuda
Instagram – @visitantiguaandbarbuda
Tiktok – @visitantiguaandbarbuda
X (formerly Twitter) – @visitaandb
Youtube – @visitantiguaandbarbuda
FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
Adrienne Harry, Aldeen Consulting
T: +1(905) 464-4167
E: adrienne@aldeenconsulting.com
