The Barbados Culinary Team left the island today for Miami, to compete in this year’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Taste of the Caribbean.
The event starts tomorrow and continues until June 30.
This year’s team is made up of training managers, Chefs Graham Licorish and Peter Edey; competition kitchen manager, Chef Michael Harrison; chefs Andre Nurse, Nathan Crichlow and Kenneth Whittington; Junior Chef Javon Cummins; Pastry Chef Julian Broome, Bartender coachaining manager, Jamaal Bowen and Bartender Rohan Hackshaw.
Chef Licorish said the team is ready for the competition. “Team Barbados is all set, focused and excited. Yes there is some nervousness among the members but that is normal in any competition and is necessary. We are looking forward to making Barbados proud.
“We have been training and practicing for a few months now and this aspect of the preparation is extremely important. This entire process organised by the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association is an excellent training and developmental tool for all those who participate and many of our top chefs, here and abroad, have passed through this process.”
He added that Taste of the Caribbean was much more than a culinary competition as over the five day period each team member will participate in a number of educational seminars, informative workshops, demonstrations and a tradeshow.
Last year’s team brought home eight awards including Caribbean Bartender of the Year, won by Jamaal Bowen, the first time for Barbados; along with the Hans Schank Commemorative Award for the Most Innovative Menu, Silver medals in the Junior Chef of the Year category and the Seafood segment and bronze in the Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year categories.
This year Barbados will compete against nine other teams representing hotels, restaurants and educational institutions in the Caribbean which are members of the CHTA. (PR)