#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.