The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) is proud to present the National Culinary Team of the British Virgin Islands who is preparing to represent the territory at the annual Taste of the Caribbean Competition to be held in Miami, Florida from June 20 to June 25. In preparation of this regional competition, the Culinary Team is hosting (2) special dinner events dubbed, A Taste of the Caribbean with BVI Infusion. Photo: Provided

According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on the initiative, the National Team invites the community to support their upcoming events in preparation of their sojourn to compete for the Gold at the Taste of the Caribbean Competition. The events are as follows:

• Monday, 27 May 2019—A Night of Food and Flair at Maria’s by the Sea
• Wednesday, 12 June 2019—A Night of Food, Culture and Flair at Tropical Fusion

Each dinner event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a Cocktail Reception and followed by Dinner at 7pm. The cost for each event is $50.00 per person and limited space is available.

In addition to the two dinner events, there is a Grand Send-off Celebration planned for Monday, 18 June 2019 at 6pm at the Village Cay Conference Centre. The cost is $20.00 per person.

Taste of the Caribbean is a food and beverage event and competition where Chefs get an opportunity to network, polish professional skills and cheer on colleagues in competition, before a large audience of industry peers and consumer culinary enthusiasts. This renowned celebration of Caribbean Cuisine is hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

The BVI will compete in the individual competitions such as, Beef, Seafood, Chocolate, Junior Chef of the Year, Bartender’s Competition-Vodka, Rum, Non Alcoholic and Bartender of the Year. The BVI will also be a sending a team to the Caribbean 305. The Caribbean 305 showcase is now the biggest Caribbean Celebrate in Miami! The only event where you can enjoy the cuisines of 17 Caribbean destinations in one night, open bar, unlimited tapas style dishes, music and entertainment.

The 2019 BVI delegation include: Senior Chef Caswall Pondt, Necker Island, Team Coordinator, Chef Tonya Malone-Smith of The Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies, Jr Chef Ariq Flax-Clarke of Johnson & Whales University, Jr Chef Lakesha Barry of Johnson & Whales, Jr Chef Lakeisha King of Johnson & Whales and Jr Chef Radiance Modeste of The Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies, Jolece Fraser of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College,Zhanae Christopher of Maria’s by the Sea, Neville Tucker of Tropical Fusion and Jadiel Gibson of the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies. The team’s mixologist will be Everson Rawlins.

Chef Kenneth Molyneaux,a Gold Medallist of the Taste of Caribbean will not be a part of the delegation this year because he has now earned a place as a judge at this prestigious event.

The BVI National Culinary Team continues to showcase its talent while representing the territory and bringing many benefits to the BVI. The BVICCHA invites the community to support each culinary event as the team prepares to represent the territory on a global scale. For any further information or to purchase a ticket for one of the events, please contact the BVICCHA Office on 494-3514 or by email info@bviccha.org . For social media https://www.facebook.com/BVICCHA.