Chef Timothy Dean, a Washington, D.C.-area native and “Top Chef” alum, is set to bring his culinary expertise to the fifth annual Anguilla Culinary Experience, running May 13-17. Dean, who owns Timothy Dean Catering in D.C. and trained under Jean-Louis Palladin at the Watergate, has led kitchens in New York and Laguna Beach, and at a namesake restaurant at the St. Regis in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 2022 by Anguillian villa owners and chefs, the festival celebrates the island’s seafood and fresh local ingredients while raising funds for culinary and hospitality education programs for young Anguillian chefs. This year, Dean will serve as a battle judge and team up with other chefs for exclusive dinners.
Over five days, the festival highlights Anguilla’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s leading culinary destinations. Events take place at luxury resorts and acclaimed restaurants across the island, featuring collaborative chef dinners, culinary competitions, lively tasting experiences, and an island-wide rum crawl.
The festivities begin with opening night at Karaya, where visiting and local chefs join forces for a Mediterranean-inspired dinner with grill stations and live entertainment. Another highlight is the sensory dinner at Malliouhana, where Chef Kerth Gumbs and a team of Anguillian chefs guide guests through a multi-course experience designed to surprise and delight.
“Anguilla Culinary Experience is about more than just a great meal in a fabulous location; it’s about the magic that happens when visiting talent and our own local stars cook side by side,” said festival co-founder and Villa Alegria owner Wendy Freeman. “By sharing our kitchens and tables, we’re creating incredible menus and long-lasting connections while mentoring the next generation of Anguillian culinary and hospitality leaders.”
In addition to Dean, the event’s lineup features guest chefs Oliver Poilevey of Chicago’s Obélix and D.C.’s Le Bouchon, wine expert Cyril Meuley, and local hospitality leaders including Kerth Gumbs of Malliouhana, Emanuele Sabatini of Zemi Beach House, and Carrie Bogar of Veya, Karaya, and Sandbar. Together, they’ll host themed dinners, competitions, and the festival’s signature rum crawl.
For tickets and the complete event schedule, visit AnguillaCulinaryExperience.com. Travel and visitor information is available at IVisitAnguilla.com.
