As the 2025 Taste of the Caribbean Competition approaches, Barbados’ national culinary champions are intensifying their preparations to defend their title on home soil. The event, hosted for the first time in Barbados, will take place from November 16 to 18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados. The Barbados National Culinary Team, led by team manager and head coach Javon Cummins, aims to showcase the country’s innovative approach to Caribbean cuisine. The team includes senior chef Rynaldo Joseph, junior chef Dejuan Toppin, pastry chef Rickeena Kirton, and mixologist Alex Chandler, all of whom are former champions. Their rigorous training schedule, which began on August 17, focuses on technical drills, speed under pressure, and reimagining traditional Bajan dishes. The team is also incorporating new elements such as a sparring partner system, weekly mock competitions, and mental conditioning to enhance performance. The competition will feature teams from Saint Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, and Anguilla. The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) emphasized the event’s significance as a platform for tourism, cultural diplomacy, and talent development. The public is encouraged to follow the team’s progress and support upcoming fundraising events via the BHTA’s social media pages.