Visitors to Anguilla and residents joined in sharing samples of a food event put on by the island’s culinary team as they prepare to compete in the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, Florida, in June.
The festival-like activity was to raise funds for the National Culinary Team to help off-set the cost of travel to Miami. It was supported by several hotels and restaurants and was held around the swimming pool area at Aleta Restaurant, Viceroy Anguilla, on Saturday, April 2.
Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Cardigan Cardigan, spoke proudly about the rave reviews accorded to Anguilla’s culinary dishes by many persons in the travel trade industry.
Addressing the many persons patronising the event, Mr. Connor stated: “I was fortunate enough last year, when, on my first assignment, I went to Miami in support of our culinary team. I was so nervous for my team of chefs and bartenders because the annual competition is of the highest quality. But I was so proud of the quality of our team. Over the years, Gilda Gumbs-Samuel (Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association) and Dean Samuel (Manager of the Team), have put together a terrific team. It doesn’t matter the size; it is the quality that counts. It is not just about the hotels or the beaches for all the visitors who come to Anguilla year after year, but the great quality of food. At a recent CTO Marketplace event in The Bahamas, a number of travel writers pointed out that the quality of food and restaurants in Anguilla is the highest anywhere in the Caribbean. I thank everybody for coming out in support of a team that will be going to Miami and returning with gold medals.”
Mrs. Gilda Gumbs-Samuel introduced the culinary team comprising the following persons: Dean Samuel, Manager (Executive Sous Chef, Cap Juluca); Lester Gumbs, Jonathan Hughes and Leonicia Rey-Richardson (CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa); Karimah Carty (Anguilla Community College); Teron Thompson (Straw Hat); and Lashanda Davis (Viceroy). There will also be a number of individual competitors. The competition will be held from June 6-10.
