RICHARD BARROW’S CAREFULLY constructed Black Barrel Sorrel Rum Pork Belly Cutter’s won him first place in the Caribbean Cooking Channel Pork Cutter Competition. He was up against four other chefs, who all came with a game plan to make the perfect cutter using parts of the pig in 20 minutes.
Barrow turned a cooking idea into a top prize – winning $1 500 and a whole pig.
He had stiff competition from Kimberley Bourne, who placed second with her Sorrel Infused Pork Cutter, with Mango Chutney Glazed Bacon Caramelised Onions, Rum Coleslaw (from a sorrel-infused pork loin) and third placed Cara Briggs with her Boneless Pork ribs sandwich.
Barrow also won an extra $740 for placing second in the Caribbean Cooking Channel Amateur Mixology Competition, where Liena Babb retained her title. Third place went to Timothy Greene.
Another spirited competition came in the Caribbean Cooking Channel Mixology Competition as top mixologists served up their creative concoctions.
It was time to shake things up as this competition held bragging rights. At the end defending champ Ryan Adamson lost his top spot to Phillip Cassanova Antoine (who won $5 000) as Adamson placed third. Second was Jamaal Bowen.
These competitions were held as Country Sizzle celebrated 50 years of Bajan cuisine at East Point Bar and Grill in St Philip two weekends ago. The smell of the delicious cuisine greeted you as you drove in and when you entered you were faced with a myriad of choices.
On the menu were hot dogs, pig tails, roasted breadfruit, and more as award-winning chefs put their own twists and spins on dishes. People were seen leaving with stuffed Styrofoam containers while others opted to have a fun day with family and friends and stayed to eat.
There was a food truck serving Asian and Caribbean cuisine, and both a sno cone truck and an ice cream truck catered to those who wanted to beat the heat.
The event’s communications coordinator, Tracy Highland, said the organisers were pleased with the turnout.
“This is our second staging of Country Sizzle. It’s wonderful to see everyone out. We invited chefs to bring their culinary creativity and of course the competitions are always exciting to see. We look forward to the next one,” she said.