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.