Food and Beverage
Paradise Found: Atlantis Announces Star-Studded 2026 Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival
The culinary event of the year is returning to the Bahamas, and it’s bringing some serious star power with it.
Atlantis Paradise Island has just announced the fourth annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, set to take over the legendary resort from March 11-15, 2026. If you’re a foodie looking for the ultimate Caribbean culinary experience, this is your moment—tickets are already on sale at npiwff.org.
A Lineup That’ll Make Your Taste Buds Dance
This year’s festival is pulling out all the stops with an impressive roster of culinary heavyweights. Making their festival debuts are celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso, acclaimed chef Ian Kittichai, Emmy Award-winning TV personality and bestselling author Rachael Ray, and James Beard Foundation and Emmy Award-winning chef Tom Colicchio.
But the new faces are just the beginning. Returning favorites include James Beard Award-winning chefs Aaron Sánchez and JJ Johnson, the legendary José Andrés (founder of World Central Kitchen), Food Network favorite Michael Symon, and Michelin-starred chef Michael White. The festival also celebrates Bahamian culinary talent, featuring local legends like Julie Lightbourn of Sip Sip, Kenneth McKenzie of McKenzie’s Fresh Conch, and Wayne Moncur of Sun & Ice.
And because great food deserves great entertainment, the festival is bringing in award-winning rock band Sugar Ray and DJ Pauly D to keep the party going.
Events You Won’t Want to Miss
NPIWFF 2026 isn’t your typical walk-around tasting event (though it has those too). The festival is designed to give culinary enthusiasts unprecedented access to some of the world’s most celebrated chefs through intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experiences:
Catch & Cook with Tom Colicchio takes a small group on a luxury fishing adventure where you’ll cast lines with the Top Chef judge himself, then transform your catch into a culinary masterpiece.
Paella on the Patio with José Andrés promises an unforgettable celebration of Spanish cuisine, with Andrés showcasing his finest paella recipes paired with exceptional wines.
Wine Dinner with Rachael Ray offers an intimate evening at the resort’s stunning Ocean’s Edge bluff—imagine sunset views, incredible food, and conversation with one of America’s most beloved food personalities.
Jerk Jam with JJ Johnson & Antonia Lofaso celebrates the iconic Caribbean flavor with a performance by Sugar Ray to keep the energy high.
Tacos & Tequila with Michael Symon & Aaron Sanchez brings Mexican flavors and premium tequila together for a fiesta featuring DJ Pauly D.
Other standout events include the Island Food Tour with Michael Symon (which sold out quickly last year), Carmine’s Sunday Supper celebrating the restaurant’s 20-year journey at Atlantis, and R&B Brunch with JJ Johnson featuring a live performance by a legendary R&B artist.
More Than Just Great Food
What sets this festival apart is its commitment to giving back. Proceeds support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving marine wildlife and endangered habitats throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean seas. Since 2005, the foundation has worked tirelessly on conservation efforts for coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, manatees, and cetaceans.
So while you’re indulging in world-class cuisine and rubbing elbows with celebrity chefs, you’re also contributing to vital conservation work in one of the world’s most beautiful marine environments.
The Ultimate Culinary Destination
It’s no accident that Atlantis Paradise Island was chosen to host this festival. The resort has established itself as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, boasting more globally recognized, Michelin-starred, and James Beard-winning chefs than any other destination in the region. With over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges—including Fish by José Andrés, Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, and Paranza by Michael White—the resort is a year-round destination for serious food lovers.
Add in Aquaventure (one of the world’s largest waterparks), the world’s largest open-air marine habitat with over 65,000 aquatic animals, five miles of white sand beaches, and the newly opened tennis and pickleball center, and you’ve got the perfect backdrop for a food festival that’s as much about the experience as it is about the cuisine.
How to Get Your Tickets
Festival passes are available now at npiwff.org and atlantisbahamas.com. You can purchase all-access Festival Passes (including entry to the three signature events: Jerk Jam, Tacos & Tequila, and Taste of Paradise) or Wine Dinner Passes (access to three intimate wine dinners). Bundle your tickets with room packages and save up to 15% on festival tickets.
For the latest updates, follow @NPIWFF and @AtlantisBahamas for the most up-to-date festival details. For additional restaurant information, visit atlantisbahamas.com and follow @ParanzaAtlantis and @ShakeShackAtlantis.
Whether you’re a dedicated foodie, a fan of celebrity chefs, or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in life, the 2026 Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival promises an unforgettable week of culinary excellence, Caribbean hospitality, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Paradise is calling. Will you answer?
SOURCE Atlantis, Paradise Island
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