TCI News
TCI: Annual Taste of Tapas a Huge Success
#TurksandCaicos, May 24, 2018 – Providenciales – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s (TCHTA) annual Taste of Tapas culinary showcase sold out last week as supporters came to dine on an array of delectable bites from the island’s leading restaurants and chefs.
Hosted by the award-winning Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, the Friday night extravaganza was all glitz and glam as food enthusiasts came together to raise over $24,000 for Team TCI to travel to Miami, Florida this summer to compete in the annual Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition.
“We are overwhelmed by the support that we receive each year for Taste of Tapas and the TCI Culinary Team,” said Chief Executive Officer of the TCHTA, Stacy Cox, in her welcome remarks at the event. “This year’s event was sold out. This goes to show the amount of support we are getting from the community as we prepare to compete and represent the Turks & Caicos Islands at the Taste of the Caribbean.”
A product of the TCI Hospitality Adventure’s Lit’l Chefs Camp, the annual Taste of Tapas event has grown tremendously each year, drawing hundreds of supporters which has aided Team TCI in delivering several winning titles for the destination.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” Cox noted, “The commitment and drive to win and put TCI on the culinary map amazes me year after year. The training the team endures leading up to the competition including this year’s Taste of Tapas has truly paid off and has allowed Team TCI to stand proudly alongside veteran teams across the Caribbean.”
Spearheaded by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Taste of the Caribbean is an annual event that highlights the art of Caribbean cooking as it brings together top chefs and bartenders from the region to compete for honours in a variety of food and beverage competitions. This year Team TCI will be led by Executive Chef Edwin Gallardo of Seven Stars Resort and will feature Joseph Charles, Wilkiens Martin, Derrick Carter, Christin Greene, Aristotle Florida, Vadivel Raju and Lit’l Chefs Inga Stubbs and Kevin Missick, supported by Executive Chefs Colin Watson and Lauren Callighen.
At Friday’s event supporters heard remarks from Her Excellency Deputy Governor, the Honorable Anya Williams, who expressed her gratitude to the Hotel and Tourism Association for their continuous efforts, and for creating new avenues to showcase the destination.
Supporters were entertained by the contestants of “Perform on Point”, a high school American Idol-styled competition, whose five finalists have toured the islands over the last two weeks showcasing their talents and earning votes that will aid in purchasing instruments for music classrooms across all schools in Turks & Caicos. Event goers were also regaled with the stylings of Sir Maurice Clarke, whose soothing sounds of saxophone and flute set the mood for all to enjoy.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our hosts, The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, the participating restaurants, our silent auction donors, and to the young contestants of Perform-On-Point for entertaining us throughout the event. Most of all, thank you to all of the supporters that came out and helped to make the night amazing.” the CEO said.
The auction tables were also a big hit at the event as supporters bid for top prizes provided by Royal West Indies, Beach Enclave, Frenz Deck , Villa 
del Mar, VIP Flyers Club – Fast Track Departure Service, COMO Parrot Cay, Windsong, The Sands, Sailrock, CAYA Hico Media, Bianca Sands and Beaches.
Amanyara, Beaches, Parrot Cay, Sail Rock, Infiniti Restaurant, Kalookis, Parallel 23, Seven, Stelle, Sui-Ren and The Pavilion were this year’s participants.
Cox is encouraging supporters to mark their calendars for the upcoming “Taste of Team TCI” which is scheduled for July 20th at the Seven Stars Resort & Spa, where individuals can experience the team’s winning dishes upon their return.
For more information about the upcoming event, interested persons and organizations are encouraged to call the TCHTA office on 941-5787 or visit their social media pages.
Release: TCHTA
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 23 October 2025 — The Crown Land Unit, supported by the Informal Settlements Unit
(ISU) and the Immigration and Border Services, led the successful execution of a reclamation exercise in Five Cays and Blue Hills on Tuesday August 26, 2025. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force provided security for the operation which formed part of the Government’s mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown Land.
During routine inspections, the Crown Land Unit identified three unoccupied, illegally constructed steel and concrete block structures on parcels 60610/226, 60610/228, and 60610/239, located in the area commonly referred to as Sand Bar Street, Five Cays. Notices of Illegal Occupation were issued in accordance with the Crown Land Ordinance, however the owners of the structures failed to comply with the instructions contained in the Notices. As a result, enforcement action was taken to remove the structures and reclaim the land.
The exercise resulted in the full reclamation of 1.18 acres of Crown Land, with the removal of three unauthorized structures which were all
block and concrete structures from foundation to belt beam stages of development.
Following the reclamation in Five Cays, the team proceeded to Blue Hills where ten Letters of Illegal Occupation were served across two parcels, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to land protection and management.
The ISU reaffirms its commitment to supporting partner agencies in the coordinated management of Crown Land, ensuring that all enforcement actions are conducted lawfully, efficiently, and in the public interest.
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