MEDIA RELEASE

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) recently hosted its much-anticipated Jr. Lit’l Chef and Junior Chef competitions, drawing young culinary talents from across the islands.

The competitions involved youths aged 12-14 and 15-19, respectively, with each phase running for a week. The grand cook-off allowed participants to demonstrate their culinary prowess. Participants of both competitions were challenged to prepare a three-course meal consisting of appetizer, an entrée, and dessert.

Executive Chef of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Craig Nazareth helped to manage and captain the teams along with Edwin Gallardo, Executive Chef of Seven Stars. The participants received training at several prestigious resorts, including The Palms, Grace Bay Club, Blue Haven, Ritz Carlton, and Seven Stars. The Jr. Lit’l Chef camp culminated with an exciting cook-off at Kimonos Restaurant, Beaches Turks and Caicos. The young chefs showcased their skills, guided by esteemed chefs such as Eric “Cookie” Johnson, and Daniel Pryce from BTC.

The finale of the Lit’l Chef competition was hosted at Sol E Mare Villa. The Lit’l Chefs competition not only crowns champions but also selects a representative for the Turks and Caicos Islands international culinary team.

Celebrating Culinary Talent:

The Jr. Lit’l Chefs competition featured teams with creative names reflecting their fun spirit: Three Musketeers, Little Chefs, Taste Titans, Honey Pot, and Le Bouchon de Manger. Emerging as champions were Le Bouchon de Manger, represented by Adrian Penn and Roneiko Rowe. Little Chefs, with members Sheliyah Wilson and Nkechi Lewis, secured second place.

Adrian Penn, beaming with pride, shared, “I know my parents are going to be very proud. I am very happy to relive the experience of winning the competition again.”

Roneiko Rowe added, “I know my parents will be happy, especially my dad because he is a chef as well. This is my first time in the competition. Adrian and I play soccer together, but it was our first time working together in the kitchen.”

Crowning the Lit’l Chef Champion:

Ashley Gardiner was named the Lit’l Chef Champion for 2024, marking her second consecutive win. She will travel to Florida to represent the TCI at the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge (CJDC) at Carifest XIII in November. Shining Star, Gabrielle Martin, is the runner-up who will accompany Gardiner as a reserve.

A conversation with 17-year-old Ashley formerly of the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School and Edwin Allen High School in Clarendon, Jamaica, revealed her passion for the culinary arts and her appreciation of the mentorship she received from chefs at Beaches Turks and Caicos. She is also grateful for the opportunities garnered from the TCHTA.

“From a tender age I took an interest in baking and would often follow recipes from YouTube and other sites to try and learn more about the culinary arts. I was elated when I was given the opportunity to participate in the Lit’l Chef’s competition of which Beaches Turks and Caicos turned out to be one of the top locations that we visited and worked at during the programme. It was truly an honor to be chosen as the winner of the competition for two consecutive years with Chef Cookie from the Beaches resort being our mentor on both occasions. It is with his guidance, complimented by other chefs, that I was able to be successful. I will forever be grateful for the programme, the chefs and the resorts that support this initiative through the TCHTA.”

Chef Nazareth had high praises for the young chefs, “I was most impressed by the commitment they demonstrated, how much they have learnt and grown as individuals, and their ability to work together.”

He also emphasized the significance of the camp in securing the future success of the hospitality industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “Hospitality is the number one industry here, so it is very important that we invest heavily in our young people who are desirous of entering the sector.”

Words of Wisdom:

Nazareth advised the budding chefs, “learn from mistakes and keep growing.” Stacy Cox, CEO of the TCHTA, echoed this sentiment, commending the participants, “this was an amazing experience. I had an opportunity to see what the kids did all throughout the week as they brought it all together in the Black Box Competition, which is the grand finale of their week of training. They followed their tutors’ instructions. They had the cuts, they had the flavors. Their presentations were phenomenal. It was hard to judge because everyone did such an amazing job.”

Highlighting the local flavours and seasonings, Cox noted, “they tried to get a lot of the island flavors in, using a lot of jerk and creole seasonings. The textures were pretty good for the most part.” She added, “there is always room for improvement, which is why we have the camps on an annual basis so that they can get an opportunity to return and develop their skills.”

The Jr. Lit’l Chef and Junior Chef competitions have once again showcased the promising culinary talent of the Turks and Caicos Islands, helping to ensure a bright future for the local hospitality industry. Cogratulations to all participants and winners for their dedication and remarkable achievements.

Photo Captions:

Header – Beaches Turks and Caicos Executive Chef Craig Nazareth (right) shares a moment with TCHTA Stacy Cox (left) along with Lit’l Chefs winners Adrian Penn (2^nd left) and Roneiko Rowe following the successful staging of the 2024 season of Lit’l Chef competition at the BTC’s Kimonos’ restaurant.

1st insert – Lit’l Chef Jada Wright presents her team’s culinary delights to the judges at the Lit’l Chef 2024 competition at the Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kimonos restaurant recently.

2nd insert – Lit’l Chefs 2024 judges doing their examination of the Lit’l Chefs and their respective dishes at the competition at the Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kimonos restaurant recently.

3rd insert – Sheliyah Wilson, one of the Lit’l Chef 2024 competition shows off her one of her team’s culinary master piece for the camera at the Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kimonos restaurant recently.

4th insert – Lit’l Chef Joseph Missick was all prepared and ready as he presents one of the dishes from his team at the 2024 Lit’l Chef competiton at the Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kimonos restaurant recently.