“I felt very gifted to have had this experience,” Ainsley Harriott told me with a big, genuine smile as he reflected on his latest food and travel series, Ainsley’s Taste of The Bahamas.

Coming from someone who has filmed dozens of TV series and is well-versed in the flavours of the world, I found it impressive a destination could still make such an impact on the legendary TV chef.

But as I found out during an exclusive screening to promote the new show, hosted by Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board and attended by the star of the show himself, the Caribbean nation is full of surprises – ones that extend far beyond its sought-after paradise beaches. 

As its name suggests, the 10-part series focuses on the gastronomic delights of Nassau – The Bahamas’ capital and central hub – and neighbouring Paradise Island. Along the way, Ainsley meets the local chefs, farmers, fishermen and artisans who bring the islands, its food and experiences to life.

credit: ITV

“In The Bahamas, chefs are so passionate about their food,” Ainsley shared with guests at the screening, clearly excited by the new generation of chefs transforming the archipelago's food scene. “They’re still growing, still developing, and doing some amazing things with it [food]. It’s rustic island food, but yet it’s culinary innovation.” 

He fondly recalled meeting young chefs, like Kendrick from The New Duff, who has modernised the traditional Bahamian guava duff dessert (a rum-flavoured steamed pudding), and Christos from Solemar Restaurant, who impressed with his fusion of Bahamian and Mediterranean cuisine. “It was the youth [of The Bahamas] that really inspired me,” Ainsley added.

“It’s that warmth you get from eating with locals” 

Despite Nassau's growing selection of fine-dining restaurants, for Ainsley, eating no-frills food with the locals was a major highlight. He described a visit to a locally loved fried chicken shop: "Every Bahamian goes to the Bamboo Shack – it's their equivalent, I suppose, of Kentucky chicken. You get spicy, crispy, crunchy chicken in a brown paper bag with chips and hot sauce. It's fantastic." 

“That’s what we go to our aunties and grannies for. It’s a little higgledy-piggledy, it's not perfect, but it’s fantastic. It was just that warmth of eating with locals that really came through for me.”

Jane Shakeshaft, Woodward & Lane 

TTG offered five lucky travel agents the opportunity to attend the exclusive screening of Ainsley's Taste of The Bahamas. Here's what Jane had to say about the experience:

"Attending Ainsley's Taste of The Bahamas screening left me genuinely inspired to showcase The Bahamas in a new light. Ainsley’s passion for the islands’ vibrant flavours – especially the impressive aquaponics projects and the beauty of their local produce – highlighted just how rich and sustainable Bahamian culture truly is. Seeing this side of the destination gives me even more to share with my clients, helping me sell The Bahamas not just as a beach escape, but as a place filled with innovation, authenticity and unforgettable culinary experiences."

Ainsley also loved the passion Bahamians have for their traditional conch salad, one of his favourite dishes. “I love how it incorporates that citrus freshness,” he said. “It’s vibrant, it’s exciting – and it’s representative of The Bahamas. You can’t get this in a UK supermarket."

Speaking of supermarkets, Ainsley revealed his preference for the local farmers’ markets in Nassau, where he encountered a woman with just four items on her stand. “That was really nice,” he said. “Life slows down here – you just have to go with the flow.”
 

Beyond the conch salad

Cooking may be at the heart of Ainsley’s Taste of The Bahamas, but it also showcases the island's forward-thinking sustainability initiatives. In the episode played at the screening, Ainsley was seen learning about the impressive aquaponic systems at Bluefields Farm, and also helped with the replanting of mangroves at Bonefish Pond – both places welcome any intrigued travellers to visit. 

For your clients interested in more traditional sight-seeing, the series also highlights Nassau’s historic attractions, including 18th-century Fort Charlotte, the Queen’s Staircase and Clifton Heritage Park: the latter is where the TV personality went snorkelling to discover stunning underwater sculptures

Credit: ITV

"I was petrified!" Ainsley confessed. "But they have fantastic [diving and snorkelling] training schools. They [the instructors] made me feel comfortable, got the equipment on me and talked me through things. Then when I got into the water, I was looking at all these wonderful underwater sculptures and colourful fish. It was all very enlightening and uplifting.”

Ainsley’s base in Nassau was the expansive Baha Mar Resort, a luxurious three-hotel complex sitting on the dazzling white sands of Cable Beach. “It ticks all the boxes, especially for families,” he explained. 

“One minute you’re at a waterpark, the next you’re looking at flamingos. You can cycle around, play paddle, tennis, golf, and dine at one of its amazing restaurants.” 

During filming at Baha Mar, Ainsley enjoyed a memorable cocktail-making class at John Batiste’s Jazz Club with local mixologist Marv Cunningham, comparing the experience to London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s. His favourite cocktail? “It’s got to be an Old Fashioned.”

Ainsley also visited Nassau’s Educulture Centre. In a teased clip shown at the private screening, he was seen trying on a colourful carnival headdress typically worn during The Bahamas' famous Junkanoo festival. The Unesco-listed event is traditionally held on New Year's Day and Boxing Day, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year.

Credit: Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board

Reflecting on his meeting with historian Arlene Nash Ferguson, also known as the 'Queen of Junkanoo,' Ainsley was in awe: “Wow, talk about enthusiasm! She’s someone who’s been there since the beginning, when they used to make costumes from bits of foil and newspaper. Now, it [Junkanoo] has transformed into something just beyond belief.”

When asked about using travel agents, Ainsley spoke highly of the industry: “Yes, I've used travel agents before. We live at such a pace now that sometimes you want others to help organise things. There’s nothing worse than going on holiday and having things go wrong. 

“There’s a real beauty in a travel agent, because it’s holidays that we treasure, and they [travel agents] make sure it’s done right.” 

The debut episode of Ainsley’s Taste of The Bahamas airs on ITV1 at 2pm on January 3, 2026.