The Anguilla National Culinary Team solidified its position as a power player in the region when it participated in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Annual, Taste of the Caribbean Competition. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami during the period June 26-30.
A release from Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications in Miami stated that individual members of the island’s culinary team shined throughout the completion, winning multiple awards. The team on a whole won the Gold Award for Most Innovative Menu.
The five-day competition featured ten teams from the Caribbean. They participated in both team and individual competitions in various categories. These included Taste of the Islands; Chef of the Year; Junior Chef of the Year; Bartender of the Year; Pastry Chef of the Year; and cheesecake competitions. Members of Anguilla’s team participated in each of the categories, and the overall team prepared and presented food and beverages which were judged on taste, execution of skills and presentation at the main events.
Representing Anguilla’s culinary team were the Manager, Dean Samuel, Executive Sous Chef at Cap Juluca; Senior Chef Lester Gumbs, Sous Chef at CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa; Senior Chef Johathan Hughes, Line Chef at CuisinArt Resort and Spa; Pastry Chef Lashaunda Davis, Pastry Chef at Viceroy Anguilla; Junior Chef Mtima Daniels also from Viceroy; Bartender Lavon Richardson at Altima; Laureen Perkins, who participated in the individual seafood competition; and Claudio Gumbs, who competed in the individual beef competition. Team Manager, Dean Samuel, was a vital part of the group as he participated in the Taste of the Caribbean Competition since 2006 and is a past winner of the Supervisor of the Year title in Anguilla.
Anguilla’s culinary team members were recognised by the blue-ribbon panel of judges with the following awards:
Lester Gumbs: Chef of the Year Silver Medal; Lavon Richardson: Bartender of the Year Silver Medal; Lashaunda Davis: Pastry Chef of the Year Silver Medal; Mtima Daniels: Junior Chef of the Year Silver Medal; Laureen Anique Perkins: Individual Seafood Competition Silver Medal; and Claudio Gumbs: Individual Beef Competition Bronze Medal.
More than two hundred people attended the main event which was open to the public. The Anguilla team, which returned home on Tuesday, was well-supported by friends of Anguilla who travelled to Miami to cheer the group.
Team Anguilla welcomed guests at last Saturday night’s Taste of the Islands event, in Miami, with delicious crayfish, classic Johnny cakes and a smooth cocktail.
