The Bahamas National Culinary Team is bringing home a record haul of honors following its outstanding performance at this year's Taste of The Caribbean competition in Miami, Florida. The Bahamas captured team gold and several top regional and individual honors in the 20th anniversary of the prestigious regional event held by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
"We are extremely proud of what our chefs have accomplished, particularly this year as our nation celebrates its fortieth year of independence. Their results show how far we've come as a nation in developing our people and their culinary talents" noted a joint statement issued by Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe and Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association President Stuart Bowe.
In addition to team gold, the country received the Tony Mack Spirit of Competition Award, given to the team which exhibits amongst themselves and with the other teams throughout the region character and a willingness to go above and beyond to help one another.
The Bahamas also received the region's top team award for the Best Use of Chocolate, presented by AUI Fine Foods.
Chef Sheldon Tracy Sweeting set a Bahamas record when he was named the Caribbean's Pastry Chef of the Year for the second time, a distinction which has only happened once before regionally. He was also inducted into the Taste of The Caribbean Hall of Fame for his achievements.
One of the younger team members, Chef Jamal Small from Dune restaurant at One and Only Ocean Club was awarded the Chef of the Year in the beef category, sponsored by Certified Angus Beef.
Looking to the future, twenty-year-old Bahamas Junior Chef Dwayne Sinclair, a student at Lincoln Institute, received a gold medal in the junior chef category. Silver medals were awarded to Executive Chef Emmanuel Gibson from One and Only Ocean Club in the Chef of the Year category.
Chef Ron Johnson also received a silver medal in the cheesecake competition. A silver medal was also achieved by Chef Charon Mckenzie from the Lyford Cay Club in the bartender category, the highest achievement by The Bahamas in recent years and the first time a chef competed in this category. It was a determined effort by the team to blend food and beverage, a growing trend. Rounding out the team's performance, Chef Ron Johnson also received a bronze medal in the seafood category. Chef Ancilleno Solomon from Luciano's also received a bronze medal in the ice carving competition.
Chef Simeon Hall Jr. did not compete in any individual categories and served as an integral part of the team and their success. Team manager Chef Devin Johnson praised the team members for their accomplishments.
"This is a very special group of professionals who showed great determination and skill, particularly over the past six weeks. They trained hard, starting last fall. Their hard work and focus paid off."
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