Dear Nationals and Friends,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you that my time as Vice-Consul of Antigua and Barbuda in Toronto will conclude on Sunday, 24 August 2025. After almost 10 years in this wonderful city, the time has come for me to return to Antigua.

Leading the way: Young women at the forefront of conservation efforts in Antigua and Barbuda

At first glance, fungee from Antigua and Barbuda, Italian polenta, and traditional Indigenous corn dishes from North America seem unrelated. Yet they share the same foundation: maize.

Corn originated in the Americas thousands of years ago. After the 15th century, it spread globally through trade and colonization. Because maize grows easily, stores well, and feeds many people, it quickly became a staple crop across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.

A culinary identity shaped by Africa, Europe, and the wider Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda’s cuisine is more than island fare — it is a living archive of migration, resistance, and survival. While often described simply as Caribbean cooking, the food of Antigua and Barbuda carries strong West African foundations, traces of Ethiopian culinary traditions, European colonial influences, and regional Caribbean exchange.

National Dish: Fungee and Pepperpot

Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s story is often told through the lens of awards and accolades. But beneath the critical acclaim lies something deeper: a lineage rooted in the Caribbean, shaped by Antigua and Saint Lucia, and carried through South London with quiet resilience.

Benjamin- Ercil of The Village of Glendale Crossing, London, passed away peacefully at his late residence, while surrounded by his loving family on Saturday April 19,2025 at the age of 83. Loved dad of Dave Benjamin (Michelle), Anthea Benjamin-Morris (Steve) and Michael Benjamin (Tara). Survived by former spouse and mother of their children Huleta Benjamin.

The stakeholder engagement process for the #Future Barbuda Development plan was extensive, inclusive, and multifaceted. It brought together voices from all corners of the community, ensuring a holistic and representative blueprint for the island’s future. Over 400 individuals, representing a spectrum of groups, provided invaluable insights and feedback.

"Dear Members and Friends,