ST.JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (June 4, 2026) – Antigua and Barbuda took centre stage on BBC MasterChef this week as the destination featured in a special Finals Week episode watched by audiences across the UK and beyond.
Airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 3 June, the programme saw the competition’s final four contestants travel to Antigua and Barbuda for a culinary journey highlighting the destination’s food heritage, local chefs, culture and iconic locations.
Filmed in November 2025 and secured by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority UK team under the leadership of Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe, the episode represents one of the destination’s most significant international television opportunities to date. Featured as part of the acclaimed 22nd series of BBC MasterChef and the first season fronted by new judging duo Grace Dent and Anna Haugh, the programme offered a unique opportunity to introduce audiences to Antigua and Barbuda through the lens of its cuisine, communities and way of life.
The episode saw contestants undertake three challenges across the destination. The first took place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nelson’s Dockyard, where Executive Chef Maurine Bowers guided the finalists as they prepared traditional Antiguan dishes for 20 local diners, introducing viewers to authentic island flavours and culinary traditions.
The competition then moved to the Jumby Bay Estate House, where acclaimed Antiguan chef Eustace Cabral Jr. challenged contestants to recreate dishes inspired by contemporary Caribbean cuisine using locally sourced ingredients and modern techniques.
For their final challenge, the contestants created a bespoke dining experience inspired by their time on the islands for invited guests including cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Clare Roberts, KCN, KC, Deputy Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, and Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin C. James.
Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, said:
“We are delighted to see Antigua and Barbuda featured on one of the world’s most recognised cooking programmes. MasterChef provided a powerful platform to showcase our cuisine, culture and heritage to a global audience, highlighting the warmth and authenticity that define our islands.
Opportunities like this are invaluable for tourism, as today’s travellers are increasingly motivated by meaningful, experience-led storytelling, with food playing a central role. We hope the programme inspires viewers to discover Antigua and Barbuda for themselves, and we extend our sincere thanks to Mrs. Ann Marie Martin, Parks Commissioner, National Parks Authority for her support in bringing the filming to life.”
The broadcast follows the successful conclusion of Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month and further strengthens the destination’s position as one of the Caribbean’s most exciting destinations for food lovers.
The programme forms part of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s ongoing strategy to secure high-profile international exposure for the destination, showcasing the breadth of experiences available beyond its world-renowned beaches.
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ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAÂ Â
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 more information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
For Antigua and Barbuda media enquiries, please contact:
IN THE UK
Reed PR: CarlyReed@ReedPR.co.uk
IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Maria Blackman
Marketing Communications Manager
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com
Kayla Christian
Marketing Communications Officer
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T:1(268) 562 7600 / 464-7665
