Carib Scope

标签： Trinidad and Tobago

特立尼达和多巴哥

  • Ex-soldier loses lawsuit over discharge

    Ex-soldier loses lawsuit over discharge

    In a significant judicial ruling, High Court Justice Joan Charles has unequivocally dismissed the constitutional challenge brought by former Defence Force soldier Jenna Jackson, affirming the legality of her 2014 discharge under the grounds of ‘completion of engagement.’ The court determined that military authorities acted within their statutory powers under the Defence Act, delivering a judgment that reinforces the discretionary nature of military re-engagement protocols.

    The case centered on Jackson’s assertion that her termination was premature, irrational, and violated constitutional protections under Section 4(b) regarding protection of the law. Represented by attorney Ronald Simon, she sought reinstatement, compensation for lost earnings, and damages claiming unfair treatment and denial of natural justice.

    Justice Charles’s comprehensive analysis revealed Jackson’s extensive medical history—including polycystic ovaries, back injuries, and postpartum complications—that resulted in prolonged sick leave and permanent restrictions preventing her from performing essential military duties. The court documented how these limitations affected her capacity for physical training, prolonged standing, and night operations.

    In her rationale, Justice Charles emphasized that military organizations retain ultimate authority in managing operational effectiveness and fitness standards. ‘Re-engagement is discretionary, not automatic,’ the judgment stated, noting that Jackson had ‘no legitimate expectation’ of continued service beyond her initial term.

    While acknowledging the Defence Force’s failure to provide a discharge certificate initially, the court found sufficient alternative remedies existed through the Defence Council petition process and judicial review mechanisms. The ruling establishes important precedent regarding the balance between military discretion and constitutional rights, with Justice Charles explicitly stating courts should not substitute their judgment for military operational decisions.

    Although the option of medical discharge existed, the court found the ‘completion of engagement’ rationale legally sound. In a concluding decision on costs, Justice Charles ordered each party to bear their own legal expenses.

  • New Year’s brunch in style

    New Year’s brunch in style

    As the calendar prepares to turn to 2026, culinary enthusiasts are presented with the perfect opportunity to welcome the new year with an exquisite seafood brunch that celebrates Caribbean culinary traditions. Food expert Wendy Rahamut presents an array of sophisticated yet accessible dishes that transform locally sourced ingredients into memorable gastronomic experiences.

    The centerpiece of this culinary celebration features a salt cod and potato casserole, a reinterpretation of Caribbean salted fish that combines flaky cod with tender potatoes in a creamy, herb-infused sauce. For elevated appetizers, individual shrimp thermidors make a remarkable comeback with their luxurious Parmesan gratin topping, while spicy crab fritters offer a crispy, flavorful bite that awakens the palate.

    The menu diversity continues with a Caribbean seafood quiche that beautifully incorporates local shrimp, fresh herbs, and creamy egg custard within a flaky pre-baked crust. Each dish demonstrates how traditional techniques can be adapted for contemporary celebrations while maintaining authentic flavor profiles.

    Critical to the success of these dishes is proper technique: the shrimp thermidor requires careful temperature control to prevent curdling while achieving perfect gratinization, while the salt cod casserole demands precise soaking and preparation of the salted fish to balance flavors. The crab fritters offer flexibility with both frying and baking options, accommodating different dietary preferences.

    All ingredients highlighted in these recipes are readily available within local markets, allowing home cooks to source fresh components while supporting regional producers. The comprehensive recipes provide detailed measurements, step-by-step instructions, and alternative preparation methods to ensure successful execution for cooks of varying experience levels.

    This culinary approach not only creates an impressive New Year’s spread but also honors Caribbean food heritage through modern interpretations that maintain cultural authenticity while appealing to contemporary tastes. The combination of textures, flavors, and visual presentation makes this seafood brunch an ideal way to commence 2026 with culinary sophistication and cultural appreciation.

  • Kerby Young bridges cultures at Swahili Fashion Week

    Kerby Young bridges cultures at Swahili Fashion Week

    Trinidad and Tobago-based designer Kerby Young, originally from Guyana, achieved a remarkable cultural synthesis at Swahili Fashion Week 2025, emerging as a standout advocate for sustainable fashion practices. The prestigious event, celebrating its 18th anniversary this December in Dar Es Salaam, served as a global platform for innovative designers who prioritize environmental consciousness alongside creative expression.

    Young made history last year as the first Caribbean designer featured at this acclaimed fashion gathering. His return in 2025 proved even more impactful with ‘The Journey’ collection—a deeply personal narrative exploring his evolution from Guyanese roots to his established presence in Trinidad and Tobago through his brand, Kerby Young Designs (KYD).

    The collection drew inspiration from Santorini’s iconic color palette, featuring deep Mediterranean blues evoking tranquil waters, crisp whites reminiscent of Grecian architecture, vibrant greens mirroring lush island foliage, and rich reds symbolizing the flowers adorning Santorini’s stone structures. Beyond color, Young incorporated traditional artisan techniques including intricate tie-dyeing, sophisticated fabric manipulation, and collaborative handcrafted crochet elements through partnership with Crochet Peace.

    Each garment became a testament to cultural fusion as models moved to the rhythm of African drums accompanied by the soulful vocals of Ella Andall and the late Devon Matthews’ ‘D Journey’. The finale, set to Square One’s ‘Lala’, transformed the show into an interactive celebration that had the audience clapping along—not merely observing fashion but participating in a story of resilience and self-belief.

    The commercial response was immediate, with half the collection finding new homes in Africa. Young plans to produce additional pieces upon returning to Trinidad, though certain signature designs will remain exclusive to their Tanzanian debut.

    Reflecting on the experience, Young shared: ‘This is one I will carry with me forever. It stands as testament to never abandoning your dreams. I’m profoundly grateful for Tanzania’s warm welcome and the unwavering support from my Caribbean and Guyanese heritage.’

    The growing momentum continues with expanding social media engagement and a successful pop-up shop accompanying his showcase. Swahili Fashion Week’s commitment to sustainability provided the ideal environment for Young’s vision, creating what the designer described as ‘a wonderful bridge of cultures’ that he anticipates crossing again in future collaborations.

  • Ex-managing director wins wrongful dismissal claim but ordered to return $215k

    Ex-managing director wins wrongful dismissal claim but ordered to return $215k

    In a landmark employment ruling, the High Court has delivered a complex judgment that simultaneously condemned both a medical company’s wrongful termination practices and its former director’s financial misconduct. Justice Jacqueline Wilson presided over the contentious case between The Surgical Specialist Centre Ltd and its ex-managing director Elizabeth Kelly, revealing a troubling pattern of informal financial management within the organization.

    The court determined that while Kelly must reimburse $215,724.05 for unauthorized payments from company accounts, her 2022 dismissal was legally unjustified. The case emerged from the complete deterioration of both professional and personal relationships between Kelly and Dr. Alan de Freitas, fellow director and equal shareholder in the medical facility established in 2016.

    Justice Wilson’s examination uncovered that the company’s financial operations lacked formal structure, with both principals routinely utilizing corporate funds for personal expenses without clear guidelines or consistent application. This informal approach to financial management ultimately undermined the company’s allegations of fiduciary breach against Kelly.

    “Both parties have admitted to using company funds for personal expenses,” Justice Wilson noted in her judgment, emphasizing that the absence of defined financial protocols and employment contracts complicated the determination of contractual breaches.

    The court awarded Kelly $120,000 in damages for wrongful termination—equivalent to six months’ salary—though this amount will be deducted from her required repayment to the company. Additionally, both parties were assigned reciprocal cost payments, with Kelly ordered to pay $41,358 in prescribed costs while the medical center must pay $27,000 toward her counterclaim.

    Legal representation saw Naline Sharma and Andrea Goddard advocating for Surgical Specialist Ltd, while Jean Louis Kelly and Natalie King represented the former managing director. The case highlights the critical importance of establishing formal financial controls and employment agreements within corporate structures, particularly when personal relationships intersect with business operations.

  • Brioche buns at home

    Brioche buns at home

    NAOMI ANDERSON

    PORT OF SPAIN – In the vibrant culinary landscape of Trinidad & Tobago, Unicakery has established itself as a pioneering force in artisanal baking education. Founded by seasoned pastry expert Naomi Anderson, this innovative studio has demystified the art of brioche-making for home enthusiasts through its structured workshops.

    The distinctive characteristics of brioche – its golden crust, tender crumb, and subtle sweetness – originate from its enriched dough composition. Unlike conventional breads, brioche incorporates substantial quantities of eggs, butter, and milk, creating a hybrid texture that bridges the gap between traditional bread and pastry. This versatility allows for both savory applications like gourmet burgers and sweet preparations such as French toast.

    At Unicakery’s professional facility, brioche serves as a fundamental teaching tool for introducing students to enriched dough techniques. The studio’s systematic approach begins with precise measurements: three cups of all-purpose flour combined with granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt form the dry base. The wet components – warm milk and two large eggs – are carefully whisked before incorporation.

    The mechanical kneading process, executed using stand mixers with dough hooks, spans approximately ten minutes until achieving optimal elasticity. Critical to success is the gradual incorporation of softened unsalted butter, allowing each increment to fully emulsify before adding subsequent portions. The resulting dough should present as smooth and slightly tacky without excessive stickiness.

    Shaping techniques involve dividing the dough into uniform portions hand-kneaded into spherical forms. After placement on baking trays with adequate spacing, the buns undergo a 30-minute proofing period until achieving 50% volume expansion. Baking at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes produces the characteristic golden-brown coloration.

    Anderson emphasizes technical adjustments: “For novice bakers, incremental flour additions can correct overly hydrated dough. An egg wash application pre-baking enhances visual appeal through glossy surface finishing.” The completed brioche buns demonstrate excellent freezer stability and can be refreshed through gentle reheating.

    With twelve years of professional pastry experience, Anderson has cultivated Unicakery into both a specialty dessert destination and educational hub. Her pedagogical philosophy prioritizes technical understanding and confidence-building, enabling students to replicate bakery-quality results in domestic kitchens. The institution continues to expand its culinary outreach through community classes and creative mentorship programs.

    For additional information regarding baking courses and schedules, visit www.unicakery.com or follow @unicakery across social media platforms.

  • Parang With Rome keeps the culture alive

    Parang With Rome keeps the culture alive

    The sixth annual Parang With Rome festival has solidified its position as a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s Christmas celebrations, drawing over 3,000 attendees to Cipriani Labour College on December 20 for an electrifying night of cultural music and festive traditions.

    Headlined by artist Itz Rome and powered by Karma the Band, the event showcased exceptional performances from parang royalty including Eddie Charles, Crazy, Marcia Miranda, and Los Alumnos de San Juan. The evening reached a poignant milestone when Alicia Jagessar of Los Alumnos de San Juan received the Parang With Rome Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her decades of contributions to preserving and advancing the parang genre.

    The cultural experience was elevated through surprise appearances by soca superstars Nailah Blackman, Blakka Dan, Ravi B, Alison Hinds, and Iwer George, creating an innovative fusion of parang and soca that bridged generational divides and united music enthusiasts across age groups.

    Beyond the musical performances, patrons enjoyed an immersive Christmas food village featuring local seasonal delicacies, completing an authentic Trinidadian holiday experience. Event organizer Rome emphasized the festival’s mission: ‘Parang With Rome is about keeping parang alive and giving people a true Trini Christmas experience. It’s about preserving our culture, celebrating the season, and bringing generations together through music.’

    The event generated substantial social media engagement and enthusiastic crowd participation, demonstrating its growing cultural significance. With its continued expansion and profound impact on cultural preservation, the festival’s sixth installment has established new benchmarks for future Christmas celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Coast Guard officer loses promotion lawsuit

    Coast Guard officer loses promotion lawsuit

    In a significant ruling affirming military autonomy in personnel decisions, Justice Devindra Rampersad of the High Court has dismissed a judicial review claim filed by Coast Guard Lieutenant Jeffery Hernandez, who challenged the denial of his promotion based on unresolved disciplinary concerns.

    The court determined that military authorities acted lawfully and rationally in considering Hernandez’s overall suitability for advancement, particularly regarding serious fraternization allegations dating to 2016. While acknowledging Hernandez met technical qualifications including seniority and examination requirements, Justice Rampersad emphasized that promotion within the Coast Guard remains discretionary and contingent on comprehensive suitability assessments beyond mere technical compliance.

    The case centered on allegations that Hernandez, while serving as a training officer, maintained an inappropriate relationship with an officer cadet under his supervision, violating Defense Force fraternization policies. Although no court-martial determination had been reached on the four disciplinary charges filed in 2016, the court found commanding officers were justified in considering the institutional implications of these unresolved matters when evaluating promotion readiness.

    Justice Rampersad’s ruling established a crucial distinction between punitive disciplinary proceedings and evaluative promotion decisions, noting that the presumption of innocence in criminal contexts does not prevent military leaders from assessing whether pending matters affect confidence in an officer’s fitness for higher command. The court found no evidence of unlawful, irrational, or procedurally improper conduct by promotion authorities.

    The judgment also rejected Hernandez’s claim of legitimate expectation, noting the absence of any clear representation or settled practice guaranteeing automatic promotion based solely on seniority or examination results. The court accepted evidence that officers promoted ahead of Hernandez had met all eligibility requirements at relevant times.

    Legal representation included Arden Williams, Mariah Ramrattan and Anthony Moore for Hernandez, while the state was represented by Natoya Moore and Raquel Le Blanc, instructed by Savitri Maharaj and Chelsea Downes.

  • Best Dressed Plate announces Caribean culinary winners

    Best Dressed Plate announces Caribean culinary winners

    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.

  • Early warning on democracy

    Early warning on democracy

    In a stark editorial published in Newsday, former Trinidad and Tobago Health Minister Dr. Fuad Khan issued a profound caution regarding the gradual deterioration of democratic norms, emphasizing that democracies are not abruptly destroyed but systematically weakened over time.

    Dr. Khan articulated that the erosion occurs through pervasive silence, rationalization of questionable actions, and uncritical allegiance to political leaders. He expressed particular concern about supporters who applaud every governmental decision while simultaneously dismissing all criticism as acts of hostility. This behavior, he warned, fundamentally undermines accountability and causes significant damage to vital democratic institutions.

    Connecting his observations to the current political environment, the former minister stressed that genuine support for leadership should never necessitate the suspension of independent judgment. He posited that robust democracies inherently depend on continuous scrutiny, legitimate dissent, and the unwavering willingness of citizens to challenge decisions made by their representatives.

    Drawing lessons from historical precedents, Dr. Khan highlighted the dangerous trajectory nations face when political personality supersedes foundational principles and blind loyalty replaces governmental accountability. Such conditions, he noted, often lead nations toward damaging outcomes that become exceptionally difficult to reverse once established.

    The physician-turned-politician concluded with a powerful affirmation that constructive criticism constitutes essential civic responsibility rather than political sabotage. Trinidad and Tobago’s future stability and prosperity, he asserted, will be determined by informed citizens who prioritize national interests above partisan politics and institutional integrity above individual personalities.

  • PSC calls for MPs to be barred from police appointments

    PSC calls for MPs to be barred from police appointments

    In a significant move toward institutional autonomy, Trinidad and Tobago’s Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a formal demand for complete independence from parliamentary oversight in the appointment of its board members and senior police leadership. The recommendations, detailed in the PSC’s 2024 annual report presented to the House of Representatives in November, call for sweeping reforms to eliminate perceived political patronage.

    The commission specifically advocates for removing the requirement for House of Representatives approval in appointing both PSC members and the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Police. This structural change aims to bolster public confidence in the police force’s independence and enhance the commission’s supervisory capabilities.

    Among the key proposals is extending the Commissioner of Police’s retirement age to 65 and removing the position from Section 75 of the Police Service Act, which currently grants the President authority to extend the service of senior officers beyond retirement age based on national interest considerations.

    The PSC further recommends expanding its membership from five to seven individuals with fixed five-year terms, while seeking broader mandates including consultation rights on appointment criteria for top police positions and monitoring powers over Assistant Commissioners of Police.

    To strengthen its selection processes, the commission seeks mandatory powers to compel organizations to provide information for security vetting of candidates. Additionally, the PSC requests full audit authority over police service performance, oversight of recruitment, promotion, disciplinary processes, and the establishment of conduct standards.

    The report also highlights operational challenges, with PSC Chairman Dr. Wendell Wallace noting a 50% staffing shortage in the commission’s secretariat and expressing concern over one-third of staff lacking job security, with many employed on monthly contracts.