On 19th August, 2015, Lashawn Ruan-Hodge, Tajh Carty and their coach, renowned Chef Glendon Carty, left the island to represent Anguilla at the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge. This event forms part of the Caribbean Junior Culinary Conference (CJCC) held annually in Barbados. The CJCC is dedicated to exposing youth to key experts and professionals in the culinary field and enabling teams from various countries to demonstrate their own abilities through the culinary duelling challenge. This was the first appearance for Anguilla in this regional competition. The team faced off against eight (8) other countries: Barbados, Bonaire, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Croix and Trinidad and Tobago.
Anguilla’s competitors took part in two rounds of the Competition namely National Dish and Mystery Basket. They returned bearing bronze medals as commendation for their performance. Tajh Carty was also awarded for Best Media Presence in the Competition.
The overall winner for 2015 was Barbados.
Anguilla’s team returned home on Tuesday 25 August.
Team Anguilla and the Local Coordinator, Mrs. Shermin Adams, would like to express their gratitude to their sponsors: Cuisinart Hotel and Spa, Straw Hat Restaurant, Freedom Water Sport, Telecom Mobile Vet, Pool Works, Three Dolphins Villa, Funtime Charters, the Rotary Club of Anguilla, Cap Juluca, Dianne Norris, Telecim Mobile Vet and Sur La Plage for their assistance with travel expenses. They extend special gratitude to Jacquie Ruan of Ripples Restaurant for her enthusiastic encouragement and for allowing them to use the facilities for practice and for their fundraising event.
The Caribbean Duelling Challenge was recorded for television and will be broadcast in twenty-one islands ands also in select regions of North America.
– Contributed
