Some of the top young chefs in the Caribbean faced off this week in Miami for an unrivaled cultural and culinary competition.
And one team came out on top.
Barbados was a named the Caribbean National Culinary Team of the Year in the return of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Taste of the Caribbean competition this week.
But Barbados wasn’t alone. The Caribbean Bartender of the Year award went to Puerto Rico’s Jose Ortega; Caribbean Chef of the Year was Bonaire’s Rhashindra Donge; and Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year went to Dejuan Toppin of Barbados.
Caribbean Pastry of the Year went to Saint Lucia’s Emmany Hippolyte; and the Tony Mack Spirit of the Competition winner went to Saint Lucia’s team manager, Fabien Vigee.
It was the first time “Taste” had been held since before the pandemic, making its triumphant return in Miami at Florida International University’s Kovens Center.
“Beyond showcasing our region’s exceptional and diverse culinary and mixology offerings, Taste of the Caribbean is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, providing essential resources, and cultivating opportunities that empower Caribbean culinary and hospitality professionals to thrive,” said CHTA CEO Vanessa Ledesma. “The heartbeat of Taste lies in the community it has created; the camaraderie, the connections, and the collective spirit are what make it truly extraordinary.”
— CJ
