St. Mary’s Secondary School student Aleka Lewis has been crowned the
2026 Taste of Wadadli Top Junior Chef
following six weeks of industry training and a final cook-off.
The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association announced Lewis as this year’s winner, with her chef mentor,
Executive Chef Desroy Spence of Hermitage Bay
, receiving the 2026 Top Chef Mentor title.
Lewis and Spence earned
687.5 points out of a possible 775
, with her overall result combining her internship evaluation and performance in the final cook-off.
During the competition, Lewis prepared
Dry Creole Rubbed Red Snapper with Brown Butter Sweet Potato and Chives, served with a Coconut Creole Sauce
. Judges assessed contestants on areas including creativity, technical skill, professionalism and confidence.
Her victory also opens the door to regional opportunities. Lewis is expected to travel to the
Turks and Caicos Islands in 2027
to participate in the Junior Lit’l Chefs Program through a partnership between the ABHTA and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.
She will also have an opportunity to join the
Antigua and Barbuda National Culinary Team as an understudy
.
The 2026 Junior Chef Academy was launched as a six-week programme giving secondary school students hands-on experience in professional kitchens across Antigua and Barbuda.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Aleka Lewis Crowned 2026 Taste of Wadadli Top Junior Chef.