Dessert competitions for secondary and tertiary school students were held as a part of the activities in observance of Farmers and Fishers’ Week 2021.

Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture pointed to the connection between the competitions and the BVI hospitality industry.

The Minister said: “The dessert competitions were extremely important because there is great potential for our local agriculture and fishing industry to be linked to our hospitality industry. Our locals and visitors alike enjoy eating out, and using locally grown and caught food greatly enhances and highlights the uniqueness of our culinary experience.”

The first competition, held on the Department of Agriculture’s grounds in Paraquita Bay, was among secondary students from schools across the Territory including the Elmore Stoutt High School, the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies, BVI Seventh Day Adventist School, St. George’s Seconday School, Cedar International School, and Claudia Creque Educational Centre.

All participants were required to incorporate coconut in their desserts that were judged on aroma, texture/consistency, flavour and appearance/creativity. Videos and posters of the students preparing their desserts also factored into the students’ overall score.

Prizes were then awarded in three different categories: cakes, pies, and cookies/dessert bars.

The prize for best individual cake was awarded to Johannes Blok of Cedar International School, while Loren Baptiste and Denisha Whyte of BVI Seventh Day Adventist School took home the prize for best team cake. The best pie award was given to Benjamin Moore of Ciboney Centre for Excellence. Mikayla Smith of Ciboney Centre for Excellence took home the prize for best individual cookie/ dessert bar.

The BVI Seventh Day Adventist School was also awarded a prize for having the most students participate in the competition. All students took home a certificate of participation.

The second dessert competition was held at Exhibition and Market Day on Saturday, May 1 for students at the tertiary level. The students, all of whom attend the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, were also required to incorporate coconut into every dessert. Best cake at this level was awarded to Mia McMaster, while best pie went to Kacie Smith and Ashley Brown secured the prize for best cookie/dessert bar.

Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture said the decision to hold the dessert competition was a means of getting students involved in the week of activities to commemorate Farmers and Fishers’ Week.

Mrs. Igwe said, “The coconut was selected because of its versatility. We wanted to feature a local fruit as the main ingredient for the desserts to provide some context for the students.  I was very pleased with the level of creativity and enthusiasm displayed among the students and the quality of their presentations.”

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to ensuring the sustainable production, harvest and supply of safe, high quality food by regulating the agricultural and fisheries sectors.