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TURKS AND CAICOS CULINARY TEAM POISED FOR TRIUMPH AT ‘TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN’ 2024  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, November 17, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) proudly announces the participation of the Turks and Caicos National Culinary Team in the “Taste of the Caribbean” competition, set to take place November 18-20, 2024, at Florida International University’s Kovens Conference Center. This event marks the much-anticipated return of the Caribbean’s premier culinary showcase.

With its return, the competition will feature only four of its usual categories, and the Turks and Caicos team is ready with their heavy hitters:

  • Kenyatta Forbes, Pastry Chef at The Palms, competing for Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year.
  • Andre Maragh, Chef at Seven Stars Resort, vying for Caribbean Chef of the Year.
  • Ronel Charles, Bartender at Seven Stars Resort, contending for Caribbean Bartender of the Year.
  • Gabrielle Martin, an emerging talent and top finisher in the Lit’l Chefs Culinary Camp 2024 Black Box Competition, aiming for Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year.

The four-member team, will be led by Chef Charles Joseph, affectionately known as ‘Chef CJ’, a long-standing member of the national team. His journey began as a young participant in the TCHTA’s Hospitality Adventure Culinary Camps in his teenage years, progressing to becoming a competing team member. He now takes the baton from mentor Executive Chef Edwin Gallardo and assumes the role of team leader.

Reflecting on the team’s legacy, Stacy Cox, CEO of the TCHTA, stated, “Our culinary team has consistently demonstrated excellence, bringing home Gold medals and earning three Hall of Fame inductions at this regional competition. The team’s achievements have significantly elevated the Turks and Caicos Islands’ reputation as a culinary destination.”

Chef Edwin Gallardo, who co-led the team to numerous victories and continues to serve as a team leader and mentor, expressed his confidence in the team’s prospects, “Our history at ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ is marked by dedication and success. We take pride in our training exercises, and a group of the country’s leading Chefs have worked with the group to prepare them for the competition stage. With Chef CJ at the helm, I am confident that our team will continue to uphold and surpass our legacy.”

The Turks and Caicos culinary team has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the history of ‘Taste of the Caribbean,’ landing multiple Gold medals and boasting Hall of Fame inductions for Junior Chef of the Year 2016 (Robinangel Simons), Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year 2018 (Vadivel Raju), and Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year 2019 (Rajasekar Ravindran).

Chef CJ shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Leading this team is both an honour and a milestone in my journey from a young culinary enthusiast to a professional private chef. We are committed to representing Turks and Caicos proudly and professionally, sharing our unique flavors and culinary traditions on this prestigious platform.”

The team will be flanked by supporters made up of the full Turks and Caicos delegation of the hospitality community attending the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), the umbrella event which is host to the Taste competition.

As the team prepares to depart for Florida, the entire Turks and Caicos community extends its unwavering support and best wishes for their continued success.

Crime

Police Report NEW MURDER, No 44 for 2024

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Turks and Caicos, December 7, 2024 – “Homicide detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are actively investigating a homicide in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Initial reports indicate that shortly after 10 pm yesterday (December 06th), the Police Control Room received several calls stating that gunshots were being heard in the area of Sandy Land.

RT&CIPF officers responded to the given location and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body.  The victim was later identified as NEIL RIGBY, 52, of Five Cays.

The RT&CIPF offers condolences to Mr. Rigby’s relatives and friends.

The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

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Minister response to Trump deportation

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Statement from the Minister of Immigration

Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands

 

 

 

Turks and Caicos, December 5, 2024 – The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands categorically states that we will not, under any circumstances, accept deportees from the United States or any other nation who are not citizens of Turks and Caicos. Our country’s immigration policies are clear and firmly rooted in the principles of sovereignty, the protection of our borders, and the welfare of our people.

Turks and Caicos, like all nations, has the sovereign right to determine who may reside within its borders. The unilateral imposition of third-country deportation policies, such as those reportedly under consideration by the incoming Trump administration, is fundamentally at odds with international norms and legal standards.

We are deeply concerned about any suggestion of displacing individuals to countries with which they have no connection. Such policies disregard the cultural, social, and economic implications for receiving countries and the humanitarian impact on the individuals affected.

We remind all stakeholders that Turks and Caicos is already facing significant challenges managing irregular migration and the accompanying strain on our resources. We will not permit external policies to exacerbate these challenges, nor undermine or dictate our national security.

Our Government remains committed to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States and our other international partners. However, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands and upholding the integrity of our immigration system.

To be clear: The Turks and Caicos Islands will not participate in any program that seeks to forcibly relocate individuals here against their will, or ours.

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Reported Weekend Incidents

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Turks and Caicos,  December 03rd, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is actively investigating incidents involving an attempted robbery and a reported armed robbery in Providenciales on November 30 and December 02, 2024.

Incident 1: Attempted Robbery at Service Station

Shortly after midnight on November 30, 2024, officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a Service Station on Leeward Highway. Based on preliminary reports, a lone male approached the premises from a black Honda Fit vehicle. The suspect, armed with a firearm,

struck an employee, causing a wound. The suspect fled in the car. At the same time, the employee was transported to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Incident 2: Armed Robbery at Eatery

On November 30, 2024, at approximately 6:57 p.m., the police received a report of an armed robbery at an eating establishment in Blue Hills. Two masked individuals, one armed with a firearm, entered the premises and robbed patrons. No injuries were reported, and the suspects fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

Incident 3: Robbery/Malicious Injuries to Property

On the evening of Monday, December 2, 2024, a male driver was proceeding along Walter Cox Drive when he stopped to drop off a passenger. While reversing, an unidentified male armed with a cinder block demanded the driver exit his vehicle. The driver complied and was robbed of personal belongings. The suspect proceeded to use the cinder block to shatter the rear passenger side window before fleeing the scene.

We urge anyone with information about these incidents to come forward.

Individuals can contact the Serious Crime Unit at (649)-232-6696 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Additionally, persons are asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app and provide information.

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