Nearly 100 chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists have registered for the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Taste of Barbados 2026 competition, prompting organisers to close registration before the official deadline for only the second time in the history of the national culinary team programme.

The milestone was highlighted during a competitors’ briefing session held at the Courtyard by Marriott, where participants were given details of the competition process ahead of the June 16 – 17 event at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Acknowledging the strong response, BHTA special projects manager Tessalee Moore said: “It says talent, it says confidence, and it says that culinary professionals across Barbados are eager to challenge themselves and represent the country.