TCI News
TCI: Lit’l Chefs In Full Force This Summer
#Providenciales, July 13, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Hospitality Adventure kicked off their exciting summer camps this week with a group of aspiring junior chefs from across the islands.
Enthusiastic youngsters are being given the opportunity to sharpen their culinary skills, learning the basics of the profession in two camps this year. The first camp, which began on Monday, July 9th and will run through Friday, July 13th, welcomed the first group; the Jr. Lit’l Chefs. This program is specifically designed for students between the ages of 12-14 and will serve as an introductory course with hopes to garner more interest in the field.
The second camp, which is the advanced segment of the program, is set to start on July 22nd and will welcome young cooks between the ages of 15-19 for an in-depth look into the culinary field, as well as offer one-on-one coaching and a sleep-in camp experience. Each week will culminate with a Mystery Black-Box Competition where one winner from the residential camp ages 15 – 19 will join the TCI Culinary Team making him/her eligible to compete with the team at the CHTA Taste of The Caribbean in Miami, June 2019.
CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association [TCHTA], Stacy Cox, commented on the kids’ excitement to be a part of these programs, “The level of enthusiasm and passion showcased this week is not only inspirational, but aspirational. We aim to spark interest and develop talents that will turn into a lifelong passionate career, and our goal is to provide programs and activities that lead to complete development and empowerment of our country’s talented youth.”
The eager group of nearly 20 students that comprise both camps have all shown keen interest in pursuing a career in the culinary field. During the programs they will be hosted and mentored at several TCHTA member hotels and restaurants on Providenciales.
“Our Culinary Camp is instrumental in the development of younger chefs; as the country grows so too does our tourism product and the demand for local trained chefs. Both camps allow budding chefs to sharpen their culinary skills while being mentored by some of the best in the culinary field in Providenciales.” She continued, “We are grateful to those who give their time to mentor and teach so that the students can enhance their skills, we thank all of the chefs involved for their passion and their continuous hard work year after year with this program and we especially thank our members for their continuous support.”
This year, TCHTA members including Seven Stars Resort, Beaches Turks & Caicos, The Palms, Amanyara, IGA, The Source Villas, Bianca Sands Resort, Parrot Cay and Grace Bay Club have come together to teach the youngsters basic cooking methods, plating techniques, butchery, baking, the basics of stocks and sauces, as well as how to write menus. Safety and sanitation are also a big part of their training. Campers received a full kit to get them on their culinary journey; a formal Chef’s jacket, apron, t-shirts, hat, peeler, paring knife, bread knife, chef knife, boning knife, thermometer, kitchen towel and duffle bag.
“TCI Hospitality Adventure is the springboard for the Turks and Caicos Culinary Team and by extension Taste of the Caribbean,” Cox noted. “We had so many success stories from the culinary camp since its start in 2012; many of our former Lit’l Chefs are now part of the culinary departments 
at our member hotels or are in university, Chefs such as Martin Wilkiens, Robinangel Simmons, Korea Rolle, Kentisha Hall and Christin Greene and bartender Jean Tissaint, just to name a few, are successful alumni of the program and have competed in several international competitions representing the TCI.”
TCI Hospitality Adventure program has long been supported by members of the TCHTA. The organization has hosted three major annual fundraising events to help finance the initiative; the annual Taste of Tapas, Chefs on the Beach and the Golf Scramble assist the TCHTA with covering expenses of the camp, continued development, and the cost associated with travel to competitions. They are inviting members of the community to graciously support these fundraisers. Persons are encouraged to buy tickets to the upcoming Chefs on the Beach which is scheduled for Friday July 20, 2017 at the West Deck at the Seven Stars Resort in Grace Bay.
For more information about the upcoming event, interested persons and organizations are encouraged to call the TCHTA office on 339-5787 or visit their social media pages.
Release: TCHTA
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
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.
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