The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) recently organized a Meet and Greet event to update stakeholders on the Barbados National Culinary Team’s rigorous training regimen as they gear up to defend their title as Caribbean National Team of the Year at the upcoming Taste of the Caribbean Competition. Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the event showcased the team’s culinary prowess through a sampling of innovative dishes and signature cocktails crafted by Junior Chef Dejuan Toppin, Senior Chef Rynaldo Joseph, Pastry Chef Rickeena Kirton, and Mixologist Alex Chandler. Guided by Team Manager Chef Javon Cummins, Culinary Coach Chef Willis Griffith, and Mixology Coach Rohan Hackshaw, the team demonstrated their commitment to excellence. Tessalee Moore, BHTA Special Projects Manager, highlighted the dual purpose of the event: to acknowledge the unwavering support of sponsors and partners and to allow the team to present their creations, which aim to solidify Barbados’ reputation as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. Notably, Team Barbados is the double defending champion, having secured the Caribbean National Culinary Team of the Year title in 2019 and 2024, with the competition hiatus from 2020 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s competition holds special significance as it will be hosted in Barbados for the first time, taking place at the Wyndham Grand Barbados from November 16 to 18. Chef Cummins emphasized the added pressure of competing on home soil and the team’s dedication to perfecting their craft through intensive training. Since the early 1990s, the BHTA has managed the Barbados National Culinary Team, fostering the development of local culinary talent and promoting Barbados on the global stage. In 2024, the team also secured several individual accolades, including Junior Chef of the Year, Best Non-Alcoholic Drink, and the Hans Schenk Commemorative Award for the Most Innovative Indigenous Ingredients, alongside multiple gold and silver medals.
National team gives ‘sneak peek’ ahead of Taste of the Caribbean Competition
