Caribbean food festivals highlight the dynamism of our culture, people, and cuisines. Anguilla is the culinary capital of the Caribbean, and the Anguilla Culinary Experience (ACE) unites good friends, food enthusiasts, and local and international chefs for a memorable gastronomic experience. This year, the festival occurs from 30 April to 3 May 2025. Let’s look at some of the events and what to expect.

2025 ACE Events

ACE events include chef dinners, restaurant specials, island experiences, beach BBQ, and basket and bartending battles. Here are a few events you can prepare for.

Taste the Magic of Malliouhana Opening Night Party

Wednesday 30 April 2025: This event will take place at Malliouhana, Meads Bay, from 7pm to 10pm. Prepare for an unforgettable culinary experience with Culinary Director Chef Kerth Gumbs and Malliouhana’s culinary dream team at the iconic cliff-top Bar Soleil.

Chefs’ Dinners

Thursday 1 May 2025: Prepare for a full day of gastronomic excellence that includes the Around the Island Progressive Lunch (10:45am-3pm), Johnny Cake Making at South Hill Community Oven (2pm-4pm), and Flavors of Altamer with Cape Air: Sébastien Barrière & Gerard MacDonna at Altamer, Shoal Bay West (6pm-9pm).

Bacchus Feast, a Roman Celebration, occurs at Savi Beach Club (7pm-11:59pm) and the Chefs’ Villa Dinner at Alegria: Doug Psaltis, Hsing Chen, Veya & the Freemans also occurs at Villa Alegria, Cul de Sac (7pm-10pm).

Friday 2 May 2025: The Moke Tour and Rum Crawl will include four stops. Patrons will meet at Bethel Methodist Church in South Hill (11:45am-3pm).

Dinner and wine pairing with Grands Vins de France and Boisset Collection’s Raymond Vineyards, DeLoach Vineyards, and Elizabeth Spencer Winery will occur at the Jacala Beach Restaurant, Meads Bay (6:30pm-10pm). At 7 pm, treat your taste buds to delicious French-Caribbean fusion cuisine by Chef Alain.

Head to Villa Algeria, Cul de Sac, for the Chefs’ Villa Dinner with Doug Psaltis, Hsing Chen, Veya and Trophy Properties Caribbean (7pm-10pm). This event is sold out yearly, so the chefs will present their menu on 1 May at Villa Algeria.

Saturday 3 May 2025: Beach BBQ + Chef Basket and Bartending Battles are at the Anguilla Great House, Rendezvous Beach (12pm-5:30pm). You can cheer on the Anguilla National Culinary team and grillers in their battles and compete in food trivia for prizes.

Some of your favourite restaurants have partnered with ACE for the Restaurant Specials, where local and guest chefs will present creative menus and ACE-inspired dishes (5pm-10pm).

Sunday 4 May 2025: Although ACE culminates on Saturday, 3 May, there is a bonus event – Sunday Funday at Leon’s at Malliouhana, Meads Bay (5pm-8pm). Entry to this event is free, and you can purchase food and beverages.

What else should you know?

ACE believes in promoting, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of Anguillan chefs. A portion of ticket prices will be donated to support upcoming Anguillan culinary and hospitality professionals at the Albena Lake Lodge Comprehensive School, Anguilla Community College, Future Hospitality & Tourism Leaders of Anguilla, and the Anguilla National Culinary Team.

Please visit the Anguilla Culinary Experience website, Instagram or Facebook pages to learn more about the festival, including locations, tickets, event timelines, and other updates.

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Sources: Anguilla Culinary Experience, ACE Facebook, and Caribbean Events.