Antigua & Barbuda will give voice to its culinary soul as the US Tourism team launches the Food and Rhythms Experience (FARE).

This four-day tour will showcase the best in cuisine, cultural attractions and entertainment that the destination has to offer. Celebrity Chef Kevin Cottle from the Food Network’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and entertainers Sister Sledge known for their major hit We are Family, will be the guests of honor on the tour.

Ten top food and entertainment journalists and 10 travel agents from Travel Impressions will journey across the destination on an exciting dining tour.

The highlight of the activity will be the 2nd Annual Food and Drink Industry Party on Saturday December 5. Sister Sledge will be the featured entertainment at this industry event, which will take place at the newly opened Sugar Ridge Hotel.

A television crew from Barefoot Media in the United States will film the entire culinary tour, and highlights of the tour will be featured in a new Travel Channel show, “Taste of Antigua & Barbuda.”

The 30-minute episode will be part of a new destination series, which will debut in February 2010.

This series will take viewers on a dining tour of various destinations around the world.

US Director General of Tourism, Derede Samuel-Whitlock is very excited about the upcoming tour.

“We are happy to be working with Leeward Island Publishers, producers of the local Food and Drink Guide to promote the cuisine of Antigua & Barbuda,” she said. “Increasingly, food and entertainment are among the major considerations that visitors make when selecting destinations and we continue to get rave reviews for our cuisine.

“We hope that next year, the FARE tour can grow to attract consumers and provide a unique opportunity to savour all of the flavours of Antigua & Barbuda.”

Minister of Tourism, John Maginley is expected to welcome the group at a reception on December 3. Chef Kevin Cottle will make a Saturday morning visit to the public market, accompanied by several local chefs to learn more about local produce, herbs and spices. The chefs will engage in a cook-off and a brunch event that will attract tourism officials and food aficionados.

The FARE tour will also highlight pottery-making in Sea View Farm and the techniques of outdoor cooking using the coal pot and yabba. While major attractions such as Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights will be featured, the tour will also make stops at several establishments that are featured in the Food and Drink Guide. These include wine tasting at C & C Wines, international fusion at the Cove Hotel at Blue Waters, Italian cuisine at the Inn at English Harbour and a number of relaxed local eateries such as Spliff’s Bar and Restaurant, Home Restaurant and Russell’s.

Organisers are aiming for the FARE Tour to become an annual attraction on the destination’s calendar of events as Antigua & Barbuda continues to be positioned as the “Entertainment Capital” of the Eastern Caribbean.