BARBADOS CULINARY TEAM TAKES TOP HONOR AT 2024 TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN COMPETITION

MIAMI, Fla. – (November 21, 2024) – Yesterday, Barbados was named the Caribbean National Culinary Team of the Year, while Rhashindra Donge of Bonaire was crowned Caribbean Chef of the Year at the 2024 Taste of the Caribbean competition. Regarded as the Caribbean’s premier culinary competition, food and beverage educational exchange and cultural showcase competition, the event was held in conjunction with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) annual industry conference, the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which ran November 18-20, at Florida International University’s Kovens Center in Miami.

“Beyond showcasing our region’s exceptional and diverse culinary and mixology offerings, Taste of the Caribbean is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, providing essential resources, and cultivating opportunities that empower Caribbean culinary and hospitality professionals to thrive,” said CHTA CEO Vanessa Ledesma. “The heartbeat of Taste lies in the community it has created; the camaraderie, the connections, and the collective spirit are what make it truly extraordinary.”

Returning to the stage for the first time in five years, this year’s event featured seven Caribbean destinations, competing in a friendly but fierce battle for culinary supremacy. Participating teams included Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Winners of the following additional categories were also recognized:

Taste of the Caribbean’s 2024 event sponsors included Anything But Advertising, Certified Angus Beef (CAB), Interval International, Mastercard, Carnival Corporation & PLC., The Anything Group (TAG), Halperns’, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and U.S. Pork.

For the full list of winners, visit https://chtataste.com/taste-of-the-caribbean-2024-winners/