Destinations Food and drink Caribbean

A taste of Barbados

This Caribbean season, we’re working with local chefs in Barbados to bring guests on Arvia and Britannia a true taste of the island’s foodie culture. Want to know more? Let us whet your appetite.

6 min 26 Jun 2025

Editorial Team

Author

Blissful sunshine, crystal waters, powder-soft sands, tropical landscapes and relaxed island vibes… You’d think our Caribbean holidays couldn’t get any better. But for guests on Arvia and Britannia, they just have.

Arvia in the Caribbean

This sounds new and exciting. What’s going on?

We know food and travel go hand in hand and that you want to immerse yourself in local food culture while you’re on your travels. With that in mind, we’re working with three of the Caribbean’s most renowned chefs (Sophie Michell, Damian Leach and Adrian Cumberbatch), as well as mixologist Shane McClean, to bring a taste of Barbados on board Arvia and Britannia on turnaround days in Bridgetown.

 

What’s involved on each ship?

Guests on Arvia will be treated to special chef-hosted events on ship. As the sun begins to set, you can order mixologist Shane's signature Caribbean cocktail while either chef Adrian or chef Damian works their magic with live cookery demonstrations and personal tales of local life and the island’s vibrant cuisine. While you sip Shane’s rum-laced tipple, you’ll get the chance to try the chef’s freshly prepared creations.

 

On Britannia, chef Sophie will curate an exquisite five-course dinner for weekly hosted dinners in The Cookery Club. Sophie will attend the exclusive meal herself every other week, chatting to guests about her menu and local food culture, and telling stories about her life on the island. 

 

What foodie treats can I look forward to?

These experiences provide a sensational introduction to the island’s cuisine. You’ll enjoy delicious fresh produce and bold flavours: think fire-roasted breadfruit topped with saltfish and lobster served with pepper sauce aioli or aromatic goat curry on a Bajan bake.

 

Sophie’s five-course extravaganza in Britannia’s Cookery Club is a Caribbean feast for your senses – not to be missed. Meanwhile, all guests can enjoy and array of Bajan dishes in Horizon buffet. Will it be Sophie’s zingy coconut & lime ceviche and rum glazed pork belly with charred pineapple salsa, or Adrian’s seared tuna tataki with green paw paw slaw followed by pepperpot braised beef with whipped yam & pickles? That’s just a savoury taster. Save space for desserts such as rum & brown sugar tarts, sweet potato pudding and coconut & watermelon flan. 

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Tell me a bit more about the chefs we’ll meet

Adrian is one of the Caribbean’s most prominent and respected chefs. His passion for food and local ingredients stems back to helping his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He has led the Trinidad and Tobago Culinary Team and his goal is to promote Caribbean cuisine and culture through his company Cook Caribbean Inc. He also owns Follow de Smoke in Bridgetown, Barbados, an acclaimed restaurant specialising in the island’s authentic cuisine.

 

Across Barbados and beyond, Damian’s known as ‘The Breadfruit Man thanks to his passion for roasting breadfruit on the beach. He’s a big character, and the executive chef at Cocktail Kitchen in St Lawrence Gap, Barbados, is a multi-award-winning chef, food ambassador and coach of the Barbados Culinary Team. His mission is to elevate traditional Bajan flavours and dishes by giving them an innovative twist.

 

British-born Sophie now lives in Barbados and is the owner of renowned restaurant Local & Co., the Caribbean’s first truly sustainable restaurant. After a glittering career in the UK, and many appearances on TV shows such as Saturday Kitchen and Sunday Brunch, she moved with her family to Barbados to set up a new farm-to-table foodie concept using local produce and ingredients. She’s proud of making food that is creative, honest and approachable. 

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What’s the vibe for these events?

It’s the first evening of your holiday in the Caribbean, so relax, unwind and get ready for a good time. You’ll meet great people, eat fabulous food and sip glorious cocktails while watching the sunset over one of the Caribbean’s most welcoming and joyous islands. What more could you ask for?

 

I’m sold! How can I sign up or find out more?

Bookings for Sophie’s special hosted dinners at Britannia’s Cookery Club can be made when you get on board so don’t delay reserving your spot for a Caribbean feast to remember. Details of the evening experiences with chefs on Arvia are available to all. Please see the latest information when you get on board. 

 

 

Take me there! How do I get to Barbados?

It couldn’t be easier. Book one of our Caribbean Fly-cruise holidays and you’ll fly directly to Barbados, departing from one of seven departure cities around the UK. Our itineraries are designed specifically for British guests, with all the stress taken out of travel and transfers. When you arrive in Barbados, you’ll be transferred to your ship, where your luggage (last seen when you checked it in at your UK departure airport) will be delivered by us directly to your cabin. In no time at all, you’ll be up chilling on board, cocktail in hand, celebrating the start of your holiday.

 

Will you be doing similar events elsewhere?

Good question! We’re delighted to tell you that we’re planning to introduce local chef experiences in more destinations on other ships. We’re still pinning down the details but will let you know soon. Keep your eye out for more information on our website. 

Watch this video to get a flavour of A Taste of Barbados. Look out for more details on P&O Cruises.

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