With Jamaica on the cusp of an unprecedented wave of luxury tourism investments, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has declared the launch of the Gastronomy Academy of Jamaica, a game-changing move that positions the island at the forefront of global culinary tourism.

Unveiled Wednesday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the academy is housed in the Caribbean’s first American Culinary Federation (ACF)-certified kitchen. It promises world-class certification and hands-on training for chefs and food professionals, designed to prepare them for the growing demands of the international hospitality sector.

“This is not just a school, it is the foundation of a culinary revolution,” said Bartlett. “We are marrying our rich food heritage with international standards of excellence, creating a new generation of chefs and food professionals who will lead Jamaica into the luxury tourism era.”

Bartlett highlighted that at least five major high-end developments are currently underway, including the US$1 billion Harmony Cove in Trelawny, Unico, Hard Rock (adjacent to Unico), Pinnacle, a US$350 million high-rise in Montego Bay and a forthcoming major development in Westmoreland (Paradise Park). These projects, he noted, underscore the urgency of having highly trained culinary professionals to serve discerning global travellers.

“Although we are globally recognised for jerk, Blue Mountain Coffee, and rum, we have only scratched the surface of our gastronomic potential,” Bartlett added. “Now, with gastronomy tourism representing 42 per cent of visitor expenditure, this is our moment to lead.”

Globally, food tourism is booming. In 2024 alone, 57 per cent of Caribbean businesses reported revenue increases from the food and beverage sector, and more travellers are choosing destinations based on culinary experiences. Jamaica, Bartlett said, is primed to take full advantage.

The academy is expected to become a regional hub for culinary excellence, thanks in part to strategic partnerships with the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Speaking at the launch, C.C. Novello, Managing Director for the Caribbean and Latin America at both institutions, called the initiative “a launch pad for dreams, a vessel for creativity, and a beacon for culinary innovation.”

“Today is not just about opening a gastronomy academy,” Novello added. “Today, Jamaica ignites a movement, one that will empower its youth, elevate its culinary identity, and set new global benchmarks in hospitality.”

Minister Bartlett closed by noting that conversations around local supply chains and linkages will follow, but what matters now is that Jamaica is ready to serve not just food, but culinary experiences that attract and satisfy the world’s most refined palates.