DESTINATIONS
TV TIE-INS | FOOD & DRINK AINSLEY’S
HIGHLIGHT food Something people really need to try in the
Bahamas is conch – it’s a Bahamian staple. I visited Arawak Cay, one of the most famous fish fries in the Bahamas, but you can find them across the
country. It’s where you try lots of different recipes like conch fritters, conch salad (pictured), conch chowder and cracked
conch. Once you’ve had a couple of conch fritters and Bahama Mama
ABOVE: Ainsley samples Bahamian dishes in Nassau and Paradise Island for the 10-part show THE BAHAMAS
The 10-part Ainsley’s Taste of The Bahamas began on ITV1 on January 3 (continuing each Saturday), showcasing how this Caribbean archipelago – known for its glitzy hotels, tranquil cays, white-sand beaches and even its swimming pigs – is also a foodie heaven. Harriott visits capital Nassau, neighbouring Paradise Island and more, exploring everything from aquaponic farms to historic rum distilleries.
Q. The Bahamas isn’t as well known for its cuisine as other Caribbean countries – what did you find as you filmed the series? A. Our eyes were opened to the Bahamas as a culinary destination. Young people are passionate about what they’re doing and are looking to encourage homegrown food. They, along with the restaurants, are beginning to understand the type of clients that come here. Visitors are used to eating good-quality food, so you can’t pull the wool over their eyes.
travelweekly.co.uk
Q. What’s the best way of getting under the skin of its culinary scene?
A. By speaking to the locals. Go somewhere like the farmers’ market in Nassau, where people give their time to talk to you. I met a lady who was talking about her hot sauce or, if you wanted something more refreshing, there was another stall squeezing fresh sugarcane juice. I love the rustic nature of that. When people go on holiday, they’ll be satisfied by those interactions, as it’s not something you can get just around the corner.
Q. Did any places stand out to you?
A. Lots! I had the pleasure of seeing the Bahamas’ fresh produce first hand at Chiccharney Farms in Nassau, as well as seeing sustainable farming in action at Bluefields Farms, where they use aquaponic methods [a food production system that combines fish with growing plants in water]
to grow fresh produce that supplies local restaurants. The hotels in Nassau and
Paradise Island have a fantastic culinary offering. I was lucky enough to stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and there’s a great cookery school there. If you want to learn about Bahamian cuisine, they’ll show you five or six classic dishes and the proper way to cook them. There are also great cocktails available at its entertainment venue, Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club. Then there’s the Graycliff Hotel, which has the third-largest wine collection in the world – more than 250,000 bottles. The food is a touch old-fashioned but there’s something unique about it. It’s like going somewhere and having roast beef and Yorkshire pudding – it does Bahamian classics well.
Q. How can agents sell the Bahamas to their clients? A. Just look at that beautiful water and golden sand. There’s something about the light and the colour, as well as the energy and vibrancy of the people.
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cocktails, you’ll feel that the world’s your oyster!”
BOOK IT
Caribtours offers seven nights at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau on a room-only basis from £2,649 per person, based on two sharing a Grand Room. The price includes flights from Heathrow with British Airways and transfers, based on travel between April 18 and October 31.
caribtours.co.uk
8 JANUARY 2026 35
PICTURES: James Bailey; Shutterstock/MevZup
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