Dreams can come to reality, even in the face of adversity. Pastor Devon Penn, a son of the soil and his family, were forced to relocate to New York after the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed their family home.

Outside of his love for God and his family, Pastor Penn’s passion has always been in the Food & Beverage industry for the past 27 years. Throughout the years, his passion grew as he worked his way from a Kitchen aisle assistant, Dining room server, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager to Food & Beverage Manager at several businesses. Under the tutelage and mentorship of Gold Award Winning BVI National culinary Team members, Ashley Meyers and Chef Wilford ‘Willow’ Stoutt, Mr. Penn has grown in his culinary craft. His most memorable career highlights was an opportunity to prepare a traditional fish and fungi dish for Food & Network star, Alton Brown. This event appeared on the show “Feasting on Waves” which brought exposure to the BVI. Eager to share his passion and gift for cooking with the territory, in 2009 he opened and operated his very own business called ‘Cravings To Go’ until 2016.

On a mission to perfect his craft and also to promote the Territory, Pastor Devon Penn has now entered into a competition in order to win a scholarship to attend the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York. ICE is one of the most highly regarded culinary and hospitality schools in America. Currently, he is in 3rd place in the competition and would need more votes in order to get to 1st place.  The campaign runs until April 15th and supporters must vote everyday, once per day using all of their electronic devices.

If Mr. Penn is successful in winning the scholarship, on completion of his programme he would endeavor to create annual fundraisers and supply drives for disaster relief throughout the Territory, in the form of gourmet dinners and themed culinary events. Hospitality and Culinary Arts will be promoted as a profession for young adults and at risk youths through lectures and demonstrations in the primary and secondary schools. One of his major aspirations is to push his creative art as he plans on becoming a published author of a few books, including a cookbook that would present modern adaptations of the BVI’s local cuisine, as well as engaging television and social media to bring awareness to what he now calls his ‘Ambassadorial Mission’.

All residents of the BVI are encouraged to rally together as ONE BVI and vote for Mr. Penn, by clicking the link: https://www.ice.edu/culinaryvoice/1p2z7zd.