TCI News
Turks & Caicos Islands Debuts at World Gourmet Summit 2019
#Providenciales, April 12, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The 23rd World Gourmet Summit, one of the most anticipated culinary festivals in the world, will for the first time include participants from the Turks & Caicos Islands in its 2019 edition. The World Gourmet Summit began on April 1, 2019 and continues through to May 12, 2019 across various restaurants and venues in Singapore.
The Turks & Caicos Islands culinary team includes Culinary Ambassador Nikita Skippings, Lorraine Kenlock and notably two junior chefs Kevin Missick and Robinangel Simons who completed the TCHTA Hospitality Adventure Program. The Turks & Caicos Islands was extended an exclusive invitation to participate in the World Gourmet Summit which features a diverse curation of cuisines from around the world. The Turks & Caicos Islands chefs will have the unique opportunity to introduce the country’s native cuisine to an international audience.
Since 1997, the World Gourmet Summit has successfully grown into a globally recognized culinary event. Every year, a constellation of stars from the international and local culinary arena showcase a delectable spread of gastronomic experiences for a community of fine dining enthusiasts.
Encompassing a series of dazzling events, including the gourmet golf experience, vintner dinners and special themed and celebrity dinners, the World Gourmet Summit is a spectacular annual gourmet expedition specially crafted for discerning individuals who appreciate fine wines and cuisines.
The culinary team from Turks & Caicos Islands is sponsored by the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival (which is underwritten by Grace Bay Resorts and The Wine Cellar).
Ramon Andrews, Director of Tourism stated, “The Turks & Caicos Islands is positioning itself as the culinary capital of the Caribbean and the preferred gourmet destination. Turks & Caicos is renowned for our pristine, white sand beaches, however increasingly, we are attracting travelers from around the globe for our cultural and diverse culinary experiences, top chefs, and food festivals. From the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, Turks & Caicos Conch Festival to the annual Lobster Festivals, our destination offers visitors an opportunity to savor the culinary adventures the islands have to offer. The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to sponsor and endorse TCI’s participation which will assist with promoting our destination on a global culinary stage”.
Nikheel Advani, Co-Founder of the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, was instrumental in securing Turks & Caicos Islands’ participation in this year’s summit. Advani commented, “This is the first time that the Turks and Caicos Islands culinary talents will be showcased on a global platform at one of the most prestigious gourmet events – The World Gourmet Summit! We will also have the opportunity to take two young Turks and Caicos Islands chefs – one from the Community College and the other from the Lit’l Chefs program – who will shadow the Turks and Caicos Islands Master and Guest Chefs – they will take part in all the culinary experiences the gastronomic event has to offer! We are truly honored to be invited to this event and are proud to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands internationally!”
Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association comments, “The TCHTA is proud to congratulate Kevin Missick and Robinangel Simons, on their selection to participate in the 23rd edition of the World Gourmet Summit along with talented local chefs. This will be the first time that the TCI participates in this prestigious culinary event, which presents an incredible opportunity for both students who got their start in our Hospitality Adventure Camps. The TCHTA is always looking for ways to develop local talent and their progress down the path to a culinary career has been remarkable. We’re incredibly delighted that they will be able to experience the culinary side of Singapore first hand and we look forward to seeing how they can apply that experience upon return.”
The origin of Turks & Caicos Islands’ involvement in this year’s World Gourmet Summit came after Peter Knipp, founder of the World Gourmet Summit, visited Providenciales in 2018 and expressed that he was extremely impressed with the culinary scene. During his visit he met with key industry stakeholders and subsequently an invitation was extended for Turks & Caicos to participate in the exclusive festival.
Chef Lorraine Kenlock, owner of Frenz Deck (the only farm to table dining experience in Providenciales), will participate as a special guest chef and Chef Nikita Skippings, Culinary Ambassador of the Turks & Caicos Islands, is designated as an international master chef. Both chefs will participate in a number of events including Chefs’ A La Minute – Meet the Stars and the Opening Reception. The Opening Reception will include notable guests such as ambassadors various embassies and countries, WGS International master chefs and other talented chefs in the industry, media, and industry heavyweights. The chefs will be accompanied by Mary Lightbourne Deputy Director of Tourism, Nikheel Advani Co-Founder of CFWF, Murad Mohamad CFWF Committee Member, and Stacy Cox CEO of TCHTA.
The culinary team representing Turks & Caicos hosted a tasting event on April 8, 2019 at Crackpot Kitchen where invited guests were treated to a preview of the traditional dishes which will be served during the event including tropical scorched conch, stewed conch and dough and island fish and grits – each featuring a gourmet flair.
The Turks and Caicos Islands presence at the World Gourmet Summit is historic and presents a great opportunity for exposure and promotion of our culture and heritage through food. Islanders can follow Team TCI’s experience at the World Gourmet Summit by following the official hashtags #WGS #WorldGourmetSummit #WGS2019 #TCIWGS #TurksAndCaicos #WhyILoveTCI #TeamTCI.
Press Release: TCI Tourist Board
Her Excellency the Governor is pleased to announce that following an expressions of interest process, and in accordance with Section 5 of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007, Mr Dimaggio Rigby, Mr Geoff Scott and Mr Dennis Swann, have been appointed to serve as Commissioners on the Financial Services Commission Board of directors.
Mr Rigby brings specialist experience in cyber, media, and technology risks. He is currently employed in the City of London as a Cyber Insurance Market Consultant.
Mr Scott is a financial services professional with over 30 years’ successful track record in banking. He currently leads the Bermuda Bankers Association and was, until August 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Cooperation of Barbados Limited (ICBL).
Mr Swann is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has expertise in Human Resources and worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 12 years. He has previously worked within the TCI FSC.
Commenting on the appointments, the Governor said:
“Following consultation with the Hon. Premier (in his capacity as th
e Minister of Finance) and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I have appointed Mr Dennis Swann, Mr Dimaggio Rigby and Mr Geoff Scott respectively, to serve as Commissioners (non-executive directors) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). I am confident that the combined experience of these three new Commissioners will help ensure the FSC delivers our vision for a technologically advanced financial services sector that is competitive and supports growth, is well regulated while agile and internationally respected.
I would like to thank Mr Keno Forbes for his previous service as a Commissioner.”
The appointments are for a three-year period, beginning in April 2024. Further details on the work of the Financial Services Commission can be found at TCIFSC.
Wednesday, April 17th 2024 – On Monday the 15th April at 11 am, the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) unveiled their new brand to their supporters, members, the media, government departments and partnering NGO’s. The TCAAF, which is now the Turks and Caicos Health and Wellness Foundation (TCHWF) welcomed everyone to their new office which is oblique to the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Downtown, Providenciales.
The TCHWF was founded in 2003 and is a registered non-profit organization in the TCI and a registered 501 (c) non-profit in the United States as well. TCHWF will focus on addressing broader health and social issues driven by the intersectionality of health and social factors, and disparities in services in the TCI.
At the ceremony, Dr. Dawn O’Sullivan, who provides medical care to persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through the Foundation and will continue to be the doctor on staff for TCHWF, gave the audience an insight on how the Foundation began. Dr. O’ Sullivan praised the board members, staff and volunteers for the success of the Foundation, which includes building the Edward Gartland Youth Centre. She explained that the rebranding was necessary since HIV is a chronic disease where you can take medication and live a long and healthy life, but support is needed for all persons living with chronic diseases and for the population that feels excluded or stigmatized.
TCHWF will provide holistic care to these populations. The new TCHWF office is comprised of a doctor’s office where patients can have consultations and be treated, and other comfortable spaces where persons can relax and unwind.
Nurse Nora Tyndall briefed the attendees on the services that the Foundation currently offers, such as the donation of a CD4 machine to the government so that patients can know their CD4 count before seeing the doctor. Other services being offered are free medical consultations, improved access to treatment and care, convenient access to medications, food cards, grocery distribution and the provision of formulas to infected mothers who give birth and cannot breastfeed. Nurse Tyndall highlighted that there is an increase in the number of pregnant women living with HIV in the TCI.
The new mandate of TCHWF is “Linking Lives, Transforming Communities”, the Foundation’s mission is to expand its services to connect HIV and non-HIV persons to entities and experts that can address varying needs.
The Executive Director of TCHWF, Anansa Jervis, highlighted the Foundation’s “aim to promote access to quality health services, information and education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Mrs. Jervis further explained that this would mean the need to “integrate HIV services and non-HIV services by increasing access to holistic and comprehensive health services needed for PLHIV and persons not living with HIV.” In this regard, the TCHWF intends to provide linkage to:
▪ The cultivation of youth empowerment and the development of life skills
▪ Health, hygiene, education and wellness strategies tailored to the needs of young women
▪ Care and support services for survivors of domestic violence
▪ Mental health, psychosocial services and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders.
▪ Equitable access to HIV care and support services, addressing disparities.
To achieve these linkages, the Foundation has held discussions with various NGO’s and government organizations to provide the necessary services and support to persons with varying needs.
One of the Board Members of the Foundation, Giovanni Delancy, gave the closing address by expressing thanks to God, the members, staff, media and volunteers for attending the unveiling ceremony. He closed with “we will continue to bring awareness and education to those not only with HIV/AIDS but other STD’s and other diseases. Let us continue to make a difference wherever we go.”
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