June 12, 2006 – The second and last fund-raiser for the Virgin Islands Culinary Team is scheduled for 7 p.m., on Monday, June 19, at Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. The team will be taking part in the Taste of the Caribbean Competition. It will compete against other Caribbean teams for the gold medal in the annual contest in Miami, June 25-28. The competition is sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel Association and the Department of Tourism. Additional honors include: most innovative dish, Spirit of the Competition and best bartender, all of which were won by last year's U.S.V.I. team.
The dinner on Monday will be prepared from a mystery basket of ingredients, including beef tri-tip, pork or mahi-mahi. Other ingredients might include Caribbean sweet potato, plantains, passion fruit, jicama, tamarind, and other regional items. A regular pantry of ingredients is available to the chefs. This concept is based on the same style of competition employed during the regional event in Miami.
The team is comprised of three chefs, a pastry artist and a bartender. The 2006 team includes Leslie Gumbs of Theo's Personal Chef & Catering Services, Andrew Powers and Rodney Rightenburg both of Caneel Bay, pastry chef Dennis Gribbin of the Cultured Pelican on St. Croix, and bartender Steve Potter of Craig & Sally's. The executive chef at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Ric Ade, is the team's captain.
Leading the sponsor effort is the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association. "Our first dinner included an eclectic combination of ingredients and flavors," said Beverly Nicholson, president of the HTA. "This second dinner should be equally as mouthwatering."
Additional sponsors include Quality Foods, the Westin Resort, and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
The three-course dinner includes appetizers, an entrée and dessert, as well as cocktails. Tickets are available for $75 per person and can be purchased through the Hotel and Tourism office by calling 774-6835.