Bahamas News
Ten year old blows the judges away with vegan dishes In Young Chef Junior High Culinary Contest
By KATHRYN CAMPBELL
Bahamas Information Services
#Nassau, The Bahamas, October 29, 2022 – A water leak at her station in the newly renovated kitchen at L.W. Young Junior High School did not deter 10-year-old Amina Eneas, a student of Akhepran International Academy, from grabbing the top spot in the 2022 Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Competition.
Her guava infused jasmine rice dish (topped with pigeon pattie) and lemon no-bake vegan cheesecake and triple-layered lemon walnut cookie with guava cheesecake filling on crispy banana leaf coils won first place in the New Providence District with a whopping 910 points.
The aspiring chef and doctor (surgeon or gynecologist) has advanced to the national round of the junior division set
for the week of November 7th. She beat four students for a first place finish in the New Providence District Competition.
Amina’s flour and rice vegan dishes blew away the judges. Chef Joel Johnson, one of six judges, declared, “She did a wonderful job.”
“Her bean pattie was really good: I watched you try it, taste it, messed it up, restarted it, corrected it at least twice — before she finally put it on a plate. The rice flavor was awesome; the salsa was on point. The presentation was clean, simple. This is the type of stuff that want to I see as an appetizer in a restaurant.”
Chef Johnson said he was “completely shocked” by Amina’s dessert. “The fact that you made all of these sauces was impressive. I was not expecting the flavors. When she told me it was an avocado mousse I was expecting something completely different. When I tasted it I was thoroughly impressed. Everything was unique and I think that’s what a lot of people coming into competitions tend to miss. Because you’re in a competition you want to go so big you forget that you should be nice, simple and clean.”
He also praised Amina for her presentation (plating) and the flavor in her dishes. “You have a lot of growing to do, so I can only imagine that it gets better.”
Chef Clement Williams agreed. “The flavors, texture and combination — I could not believe you were 10-years-old and so calm. You worked in water, you were at a disadvantage, everything started leaking and running from you but you stayed right there. Your poise for a 10-year-old was way beyond expectation. The dish is really good.”
After two hours in the kitchen followed by interviews with the judges, who are all professional chefs, Raquel Turnquest, Education Officer, Family and Consumer Science Unit, revealed the winners: Rishantae Spence of A.F. Adderley placed second; Deja Taylor, a student of Queen’s College, and Destiny Cleare of L.W. Young Junior High School earned a statistical tie for third place; and Ezra Pinder, a student of S.C. McPherson Junior High School finished fourth.
Amina, whose Mom coached her to success, said she felt “great” and was “happy” that the contest was over.
“I put a lot of time and work into it and practiced the two dishes until very late into the night.”
Before the 10:00 am start, Ms. Turnquest thanked the students. “We thank you very much for persevering to the end. Others started practicing but could not make it across the finish line for the semi-finals so we congratulate you for making it to this point. You are the future of culinary arts in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. We look forward to great things from each and every one of you,” she said.
She also acknowledged Krizzia Williams, who represented Robin Hood Flour and Mahatma Rice, which along with the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, sponsored the contest now into its 30th year.
The students were required to use any of the rice and flour products to design, prepare, cook and present their dishes based on the theme “Bahamian Culinary Arts: Sustainability Across Land and Sea.”
Chief Judge Chef Gerald Rolle introduced the judges. They were: Chef Michael Adderley, Chef Addiemae Farrington, Chef Celeste Smith, Chef Joel Johnson and Chef Clement Williams.
Chef Rolle congratulated the junior students and advised them to produce the items what they have been practicing throughout the past weeks. “Be confident in what you do. This is a fun event. Ensure that the equipment is working and that you have all the ingredients that you need,” he said.
Alan Orreal, VP of Culinary Operations and Ludovic Audaux, Senior Executive Pastry Chef at Atlantis, Paradise Island, dropped by to view the students at work.
The VP said, “We’re here today to have a look at the high school students competing in the national competition. Atlantis plays a really large role in food and beverage in hospitality in the country. We feel it’s important to support, and not only be seen to be supporting — but actually provide support.
“The first impressions are really strong. The students are really engaged in what they are doing,” he said.
Chef Audaux was also impressed with the work of the budding chefs and sees a “bright” future in culinary arts in the country. He declared they like involving new talents, and that it often turns out best when those talents start developing early.
Following interviews with the students and presentations of dishes, Ms. Turnquest reminded the students that they are all winners. “You have persevered and come to this level to represent the entire island of New Providence for junior high school students. Just for you to make it to this point — understand that you are all winners. You have done an excellent job and I look forward to seeing you at the nationals.”
Chef Rolle commended the students and their coaches for the presentation of their tables. “The displays on the tables were some of the best we’ve seen in years. I love it…. You put thought and time into it. Well done!”
Photo Captions:
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header: Amina’s winning dishes.
1st insert: Amina Eneas is pictured preparing her dishes during the contest.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
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