About – chtataste

ABOUT TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN

Taste of the Caribbean is the region’s premier culinary competition, food & beverage educational exchange and Caribbean cultural showcase. Since 1993, the Caribbean’s best chefs and culinary teams unite at Taste to compete, demonstrate their skills, learn from each other and offer the general public a scintillating exhibition of the most delectable culinary treats of the islands.

Taste of the Caribbean provides a forum for food and beverage professionals to gather practical information, develop skills, sample and purchase, strengthen and establish supplier relationships and meeting new vendors. Participate in innovative and exciting educational sessions that promise to enhance individual skills and increase the value of your business.

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPETITION 2019

Caribbean National Culinary Team Competition

In a mystery basket competition, teams are assigned items from the basket from which a three course menu is developed within one hour. After the menu is developed, teams have three hours to prepare a three course meal (appetizer, entrée and dessert), which is then served to attendees. The top scoring team on the culinary team competition receives the award of Caribbean Culinary Team of the Year.

Caribbean Culinary Individual Competition

In addition to the team competitions, various categories of individual competitions are available to participating team members. 1 senior chef and 1 junior chef from each participating team compete in an individual competition to select the Caribbean Chef of the Year and the Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year. During these competitions, each individual must create in a two hour period a dish showcasing the main ingredient from a mystery basket. A winner is selected for each one of the individual competitions.

Caribbean Chef of the Year

To win Caribbean Chef of the Year each chef will be given one hour of preparation time in which to write and submit a description of their entrée dish, to do mis en place and get organized (only stocks can be cooked during the 1st hour). Cooking, finishing and plating are to take place during the second hour. The dish must be completely plated by the end of the second hour.

Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year

To win Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year each contestant must be working and/or studying in the culinary field in the Caribbean and cannot be older than 21 years of age. Each chef will be given one hour of preparation time in which to write and submit a description of their entrée dish, to do mis en place and get organized (only stocks can be cooked during the 1st hour). Cooking, finishing and plating are to take place during the second hour. The dish must be completely plated by the end of the second hour.

Caribbean Bartender of the Year

Bartenders from the competing national teams prepare a variety of drinks to demonstrate their creativity, skills, personality and showmanship. Three rounds are scheduled for beverages in the categories of Non-Alcoholic, Vodka and Rum. Each bartender has five minutes to prepare three portions of the beverage. All participating bartenders compete for the honor of Caribbean Bartender of the Year. In this final round bartenders have thirty minutes to review the content of a mystery bar, and then design and prepare a cocktail of their choice.

Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year

Pastry chefs from the competing national teams create, in advance, a dessert recipe which they prepare during four hours at the event. The top pastry chef is selected the Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year.