Chefs, Craft, and Culture

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAHA MAR

The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival has the warmth of a reunion. Chefs embrace like old friends, artists chat beside their work, and guests stroll between tasting tables with a drink in hand. For five days at Baha Mar resort, set on Nassau's famous Cable Beach on the island of New Providence, food becomes a shared language that connects people from around the world, one plate at a time. Surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand, the Bahamas provides a stunning backdrop, just a short flight from several major U.S. cities.

Every October, the resort becomes the center of food, art, and music, bringing together chefs, artists, and performers for a weekend of shared creativity. This year’s lineup included celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Dario Cecchini, Daniel Boulud, Amanda Freitag, Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant, Maneet Chauhan, Rolando Ordonez, Simeon Hall Jr., and Alfredo Villanueva, who shared their culinary mastery alongside a bevy of other culinary pros and visual artists.

Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar, says the idea for the festival emerged from the resort’s founding vision. “From the beginning, Baha Mar has been about celebrating the very best of the Bahamas, not just as a destination, but as a vibrant community of creativity, culture, and world-class hospitality,” says Davis. “We wanted to design an experience that invites our guests to taste, see, and feel the essence of Bahamian culture through food, art, and storytelling.”

Although the festival fills the resort, it still feels personal. Guests can talk with chefs and artists, watch them work, and taste dishes as they are made. Many agree that collaboration and connection define the experience. Alfredo Villanueva says, “I think this is different from other festivals because it’s an island with very special ingredients and the people [are very welcoming].” He mentions that it was rewarding to share his Mexican heritage while embracing Bahamian culture. Scott Conant calls it “100 percent about the people. Spending time with the teams in the kitchens, the generosity, it is so touching,” he adds.

Each year, the event begins on Wednesday with the FUZE Caribbean Art Fair, which runs through Sunday and gathers artists from across the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Chef Daniel Boulud’s Truffle Dinner opens the culinary portion with a truffle-infused menu and paired wines. Thursday brings happy hours and art workshops. Friday kicks off with A Taste of Baha Mar Welcome Party, a lively open-air concert and tasting event. This year, rock legend Lenny Kravitz performed his first official show in the Bahamas. Guests also previewed Leola, Scott Conant’s new Italian-inspired restaurant, which he described as sophisticated yet warm, blending Italian tradition with American creativity.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAHA MAR

Celebrity chefs Dario Cecchini, Amanda Freitag, Maneet Chauhan, Carla Hall, Scott Conant, Geoffrey Zakarian, Simeon Hall Jr., Marv “MrMixx Bahamas” Cunningham.

Saturday and Sunday center around the Culinary Expo at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center. Guests can watch live chef demos, join tastings, and sample dishes from local restaurants. The weekend also features small-group master classes, music, and unique experiences like yoga with flamingos.

Chef Tevin Kemp, who leads The Kitchen and works with visiting chefs, says “authenticity and collaboration” set the festival apart. “When you walk inside The Kitchen, I want everyone to feel welcome, both chefs and guests,” he says. “We all feel a bit like a little family since Bahamians often connect and show love through food.”

Each class and dinner lets chefs showcase their personalities as they interact with attendees. Maneet Chauhan, Amanda Freitag, and Carla Hall bring humor and warmth. Geoffrey Zakarian adds playful banter, Marcus Samuelsson and Simeon Hall Jr. are lively and engaging, and Villanueva offers quiet kindness.

“Year over year, the festival has gotten bigger and better, increasing its overall footprint and evolving its offerings to appeal to both our local and international guests,” notes festival organizer Nadia Bowe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Baha Mar. “This year’s programming speaks directly to the desires of today’s traveler: immersive, flavorful, and visually unforgettable,” she says.

The Bahamian spirit is everywhere, from rake-and-scrape music to colorful Junkanoo rush-outs with pulsating drums and costumes. The beauty of the islands, with sunlit beaches and clear waters, creates a scene as memorable as the food and art.

The festival also serves as a homecoming for many of the participants, including Kravitz, who celebrated his Bahamian roots on the concert stage, calling it deeply personal and “monumental” to perform in his grandfather's birthplace. (Kravitz's mother, actress Roxie Roker, was first-generation Bahamian-American.)

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAHA MAR

Actor Tia Mowry celebrates her roots.

For Tia Mowry, an American actress and chef who hosted the Sunset BBQ event with Chef Simeon Hall and Marv “Mr. Mix” Cunningham, taking part was personal. “It means everything to me,” she says. “I wanted to bring my kids. It’s the way that I pay homage to my great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother,” explains Mowry. “My ancestors were so important to me. What makes this time even more special is how I was able to show my kids where they’re from and then have such a great and amazing time.”

The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival is more than a food event. It is a genuine celebration of creativity, community, and culture. Visitors leave not only with memories of dishes and music, but also with a more profound sense of connection to the Bahamas.

The fifth annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival is tentatively set for late October 2026.

BEYOND THE FESTIVAL

The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival’s schedule is jam-packed, but Baha Mar offers many other ways to enjoy the property and the island.

• Swim or relax in the resort’s pools or on the surrounding beaches.

• The Baha Bay water park provides slides and activities for both kids and adults.

• Golfers can test their swing on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, while tennis and pickleball are available at the John McEnroe Tennis Center.

• Animal experiences offer up-close encounters with flamingos, Aldabra giant tortoises, macaws, and sea turtles.

• For younger guests, the Junior Marine Biologist program offers hands-on learning about marine ecosystems, alongside a kids’ club and kid-friendly dining.

• Exploring beyond the resort reveals the beauty and culture of New Providence. These excursions offer a break from the festival schedule while showcasing the natural beauty and vibrant culture of the Bahamas.

• Coral reefs offer snorkeling and diving with colorful marine life.

• A visit to the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo or a rum tasting at John Watling’s Distillery provides cultural insights.

• Boating day trips to Rose Island or Exuma create memorable island adventures.

• And for authentic Bahamian cuisine, cocktails, and locally made beers, Arawak Cay Fish Fry is a must.