Premier and Minister for Tourism, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE continues to offer strong support and encouragement to the BVI National Culinary Team who are preparing to participate in the upcoming Taste of The Caribbean Competition in Miami from June 11 to June 15.  

"The BVI has always boasted of our gold medal award winning chefs and our delectable local dishes,” Premier Smith said. “I am delighted that we will be represented by a cadre of renowned culinary professionals.”

He said, "Our participation in the prestigious competition is important as we continue to market food tourism as part of our tourism product offerings. Indeed, this is another opportunity to whet the appetites of prospective travellers, their families and friends and to remind the world that the BVI is the best destination to enjoy life.”

In wishing the team success, Premier Smith said he knows that the team would make the Territory proud.

Premier Smith thanked past BVI National Culinary Teams for putting the BVI on the map in food tourism, and commends the present team for their commitment and dedication to representing the Virgin Islands at the upcoming competition.

The annual culinary competition and cultural showcase, brings food and beverage specialists together to witness the latest techniques utilised during the competition. It is hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The Territory’s culinary delegation will be led by Team Manager Chef Henry Prince of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The team members are: Coach Chef Garfield Victor of Village Cay Hotel and Marina; Senior Chef Caswal Ponte of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort; Senior Chef Kenneth Molyneaux of Tropical Fusion Restaurant; Chef Tonya Malone of BVI Technical Vocational Institute; Junior Chefs Ariq Flax-Clarke, Radiance Modeste, Lakeisha King and Lakesha Barry, of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.  

The team’s pastry chefs are Chef Neville Tucker of Long Bay Beach Club and Chef Ansony Salmon of Honey and Spice Bakery and Pastry Shop. The team’s Bartenders are Everson Rawlins of Peter Island Resort Spa and Kishayne Wright of The Dove Restaurant.

Each year the Caribbean's top chefs and culinary teams unite to learn and compete, provide a dazzling exhibition of eclectic dishes and drinks from the islands and participants enjoy some of the best Caribbean cuisine and libations the region has to offer. Participating teams, event sponsors and all attendees benefit from exploring industry trends and exchanging ideas, skills and techniques. 

The Taste of The Caribbean Competition also provides education and inspiration through seminars, workshops, tastings and demonstrations, created to enhance performance, style and profitability in food and beverage operations.  More than 200 delegates are expected to attend, with representation from Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Suriname, US Virgin Islands and St. Lucia.

The BVI National Culinary Team is organised by the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, with support and sponsorship from The Premier’s Office, BVI Tourist Board, Ocean Conversion and the National Bank of the Virgin Islands. Team BVI has previously won gold, silver and bronze medals while competing.

The Government of the Virgin Islands expresses its gratitude to the many tourism partners who have supported by the BVI Culinary Team throughout its season.