The culinary world turned its attention to Caribbean gastronomic excellence as Best Dressed Plate unveiled its honorees for the highly anticipated 2025 Caribbean Culinary Impact Awards. Now in its second edition, the awards program has significantly expanded its reach, recognizing outstanding achievements across four distinct regions: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean itself, through six competitive categories.
Founder Nneka Nurse, who also serves as Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, revealed the strategic thinking behind this year’s expanded format. “The introduction of regional honorees acknowledges the substantial influence and numerical strength of the Caribbean diaspora in these critical markets,” Nurse explained. “This approach highlights the undeniable global reach of our cuisine while celebrating its diverse expressions across different cultural contexts.”
The awards ceremony introduced two special recognitions this year: the Sylvia Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award and the Best Culinary Destination Award. The inaugural Sylvia Hunt honor was presented to Chris DeLarosa of Caribbean Pot, a Trinidad-born culinary pioneer based in Canada. DeLarosa received recognition for his decade-long mission to democratize Caribbean cooking for global digital audiences. Meanwhile, the Grenada Tourism Authority captured the Best Caribbean Culinary Destination award, celebrated for successfully positioning the ‘Spice Isle’ as a premier gastronomic tourism destination.
Jamaican culinary talent demonstrated remarkable dominance across all regions, securing twelve recognitions and underscoring the island’s significant culinary export influence. Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados also delivered strong performances, reinforcing their status as culinary leaders within both the region and diaspora communities.
Nurse emphasized the organization’s commitment to elevating Caribbean cuisine and its practitioners: “Best Dressed Plate is dedicated to honoring the men and women who not only preserve our history, legacy, and identity through their craft but also continuously innovate to position our cuisine at a global level. These awards celebrate our hardworking, innovative chefs and kitchen professionals across the Caribbean and diaspora. The moment for Caribbean cuisine has arrived, and through these awards, we aim to inspire our people while guiding global appreciation for our culinary traditions.”
The complete list of honorees showcases the rich diversity of Caribbean culinary talent, with winners representing multiple islands and categories including Trailblazing Chef of the Year, Rising Star Chef, Best Restaurant, Excellence in Culinary Entrepreneurship, Outstanding Food Content Creator, and Best Food Truck/Pop-Up Vendor across all four recognized regions.