Five of the most legendary Caribbean dishes (and where to taste them)

The dish

‘This is our national dish’, says Leach. ‘The fish is steamed in a Creole sauce and the cou-cou is a polenta, but done with okra.’

Where to try it

‘Fred’s Bar is the name of the place; it’s in an area called Oistins, on the coast. It’s in a very, very popular fish market.’

What to do

‘Nearby there’s a lot of kite-surfing, paddle-boarding and surfing – but I’ve picked hydrofoiling, which is a modification of kite-surfing that I’m trying to do myself.’

One step further

Bajan cuisine (that’s the food of Barbados) is world-famous for its use of fresh fish and you can see a sustainable farm in action thanks to a P&O Cruises Shore Experience. On a P&O Cruises holiday, you can opt for this tour, which will take you to a bustling fish market, then on to the biodynamic PEG Farm & Nature Reserve, poised high up on Hackleton’s Cliff. You’ll even get to taste snacks and drinks using the farm’s produce.

The dish

The first thing to know about this dish is that there are no mushrooms involved. ‘Fungi is actually pretty much cou-cou: a cornmeal-based Caribbean polenta,’ says Leach. ‘Then they get the whole fish and add Creole sauce.’

Where to try it

Leach selected Myett’s Garden and Grille, which just happens to overlook a white-sand beach.

What to do

Ever tried mangrove paddling? Leach’s choice involves gently exploring mangrove forests by kayak in Tortola’s beautiful lagoons.

The dish

‘In Barbados, we serve a similar dish for Independence Day in November, except we put raisins in it,’ says Leach. ‘But in Antigua, they’ve made it into a savoury dish and it’s very popular. It’s sweet potato, coconut, spices and flour, cooked in a banana leaf and then served with saltfish.’

Where to try it

Leach selected Caribbean Taste Restaurant as the best spot to try this much-loved Antiguan dish.

What to do

‘Go to Devil’s Bridge,’ says Leach. ‘I love those rocky, natural places – it’s just gorgeous.’

One step further

Want to delve deeper into those delicious Antiguan flavours? P&O Cruises offers Caribbean cooking classes as part of its Shore Experience programme. You could hop off your ship and head to a boutique hotel overlooking stunning Dickenson Bay, where local chef Jacquie will guide you through preparing three courses of West Indian fare.

The dish

‘We eat this dish traditionally on Saturdays – I don’t miss a Saturday without pudding and souse!’ says Leach. ‘It’s pickled pork and steamed sweet potato pudding with breadfruit, and it’s a massive deal on the island. I think it should be our national dish. Breadfruit [which is from the jackfruit family] is my favourite, favourite thing… I have a tattoo of it on my hand!’

Where to try it

‘There’s a place called Sand Dunes on the east coast. It’s my favourite part of the island. I like to call it “raw Barbados” because it’s not as developed. It’s very cliffy and rocky, a whole different vibe.’

What to do

‘Visit Animal Flower Cave,’ says Leach. This stunning ocean cave is famous for its natural rock pools, which you can visit on a tour.

The dish

‘I’ve chosen their national dish,’ says Leach. ‘The green figs are green bananas. They’re boiled and starchy; we eat them as a carb. The saltfish is cooked with herbs, onion and garlic.’

Where to try it

The fairy-lit Creole Grill is a romantic hidden gem in St Lucia’s Gros Islet Quarter – and Leach’s favourite spot to eat St Lucia’s national dish.

What to do

‘I actually had my honeymoon in St Lucia,’ says Leach. ‘You’ve got to go to the Sulphur Springs! It’s a very cool experience, just by the volcano. It’s like a jacuzzi, but high in sulphur, which is great for your skin and joints.’

One step further

Did you know that St Lucia is also famous for its chocolate? Visitors on a P&O Cruises cruise can opt for a Shore Experience to the historic Rabot Estate, a historic cocoa plantation now owned by Hotel Chocolat. Here, you’ll create your own chocolate bar, from shelling the cocoa beans right through to savouring it overlooking the Pitons mountains.

Plan your Caribbean holiday with P&O Cruises