The Valley, Anguilla (October 1, 2003) Anguilla’s National Culinary Team left today to participate in the regional Taste of the Caribbean culinary and bartender competition to be held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica from October 2-5, 2003.

The event, which is sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel Association, is expected to attract 12 of the finest teams of chefs and bartenders in the Caribbean, chosen from among hundreds of the region’s best hotels and restaurants.

Chefs and Bartenders compete in a series of preliminary events during the first two days of the competition and vie for one of the eight eligible spots in the final round. A total of 12 medals and awards will be presented to the top competitors in both categories.

Anguilla’s National Culinary Team is this year comprised of five young talented individuals selected for their strong culinary skills and ability to work as a member of a coordinated team. They include, Vaughn Hughes, Chef; Shaun Hodge, Chef; Sherman Niles, Chef; Joyah Gumbs, Pastry Chef ; and Alex Ballin, Bartender.

Team Manager, Wilbert Fleming, expressed his satisfaction at the young team’s progress over the last few months. “We had a rough time getting the team together at first but once they started practicing together and understanding the demands of the competition they began to mesh” he explained. “This is a young team, an unproven team, but I think we are going to go there and surprise a lot of people. The team is ready.”

Fleming also singled out the support the team received from Anguilla’s restaurant community. “We are indebted to several people who helped the team to prepare for the competition. Special thanks to Irad Gumbs, from Irad’s Seaside Grill, Jed Hunte, from English Rose and Jacqui Ruan from Ripples Restaurant for hosting fundraising practice sessions for the team”.

Finally, the Team Manager highlighted the invaluable assistance provided by former Culinary Team members in the team’s preparation.” The support that the team got this year from people like George Reid, Vernon Hughes, Ron Webster, Raoul Rodriguez and Didier Rochat was immeasurable. These guys are consummate professionals and I know that their guidance and help really inspired the team.”

The National Culinary Team also received generous sponsorship this year from Cap Juluca, Pyrat Rum (Anguilla Rums Ltd) and American Eagle/American Airlines.

Taste of the Caribbean is a four day food and beverage festival and the single largest annual culinary platform in the region. Beginning in 1978 as a recipe competition, there have been a variety of attempts over the years to define the cuisine of the region. In recent years the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, sponsors of the National Culinary Team, had lobbied for the reinstatement of the original concept of showcasing Caribbean cuisine and talent and raising the standards of Food and Beverage excellence and professionalism throughout the region.

The Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association is the largest and oldest trade association on Anguilla. Representing more than 80 local and regional businesses from both the hotel and allied sectors, the AHTA has been Anguilla’s leading tourism industry advocate for more than 20 years.

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