The Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival turns Atlantis Paradise Island into a culinary destination — and Us Weekly has exclusive insight into how Rachael Ray and Michael Symon are preparing to deliver the best event yet.
The five-day event, running from Wednesday, March 11, through Sunday, March 15, at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, features headliners including Ray, José Andrés and more hosting everything from intimate wine dinners to large-scale tasting parties across the resort. The evening events include Tacos & Tequila with Michael Symon & Aaron Sanchez (with a performance by DJ Pauly D), Taste of Paradise with Tom Colicchio and Jerk Jam with JJ Johnson & Antonia Lofaso (with a performance by Sugar Ray).
For Ray, the island itself shapes the menu.
“I always let where I am lead me,” Ray tells Us. “The Bahamas has incredible local seafood and tradition, and I built the Seafood Social menu around that, handpicking recipes that feel right for the place and the moment. And the wine dinner is more classic and refined, which felt right for the intimacy. It’s less about one signature style and more about reading the room or in this case, the island.”
Ray is hosting a refined multi-course wine dinner on Friday, March 13, and a lively seafood celebration on Saturday, March 14 — and she says the contrast is intentional.
“My wine dinner at Ocean’s Edge is going to be beautiful and intimate, communal seating, multi-course, really thoughtful pairings,” she explains. “And then the Seafood Social will have totally different energy, fresh seafood, music and the sunset as a backdrop. The weekend is going to have something elegant but accessible and something lively. That’s really how I like to entertain.”
While Us can confirm that events like Jerk Jam and Tacos & Tequila are a party, Ray says smaller gatherings often leave the biggest impression for her.
“Everything is more intentional — the pours, the pacing, the conversation. And you’re sitting down with people you may not know yet, sharing courses, sharing bottles, and by dessert it feels like you’ve known everyone for years,” Ray tells Us. “A big tasting event is a blast, but there’s nothing quite like the slow build of a real dinner together where some memories get made.”
Symon, meanwhile, will host Tacos & Tequila on Thursday, March 12, and a returning island food tour across Nassau on Friday, March 13.
“It really is a full on sensory experience,” he tells Us. “And like I mentioned, you can’t beat Bahamian hospitality which takes it to the next level.”
After last year’s sold-out tour, he’s especially excited to bring guests back into the local food scene. He notes, “It doesn’t get better than exploring the island and connecting with local chefs.”
He says the weekend overall highlights both tradition and innovation within the destination’s cuisine.
“I think it’s a great example of how the culinary scene is evolving while still staying true to the roots of the island cuisine,” Symon explains.
For Ray, the setting also changes the atmosphere around the table.
“When you’re somewhere that stunning, it just loosens people up and that changes everything at the table,” she tells Us. “I am hoping the location has a larger-than-life quality that gives guests permission to fully let go and enjoy themselves. And for an event like the Seafood Social, where you’ve got music and the ocean right there, the setting becomes part of every bite.”
Her biggest hope guests take home isn’t a recipe — it’s a feeling.
“That they were truly with the people around them, not scrolling, not rushing, just present,” she says. “Food and wine have this magical way of slowing us down. Whether it’s a quiet moment over a course at the wine dinner or laughing with strangers over fresh seafood and live music, I want people to leave feeling genuinely connected. That’s what a great meal does.”
Symon agrees the destination itself will stand out: “The warmth and hospitality of the Bahamian people is truly unmatched. I hope all the guests get to experience that because it’s very special.”
Tickets for the 2026 Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival are available now.
