To celebrate its sixth year on the air, WTJX Channel 12 is partnering with the V.I. Charteryacht League to present a "Taste of Two Islands—Land and Sea." The Nov. 12 culinary event at Yacht Haven Grande will feature 34 chefs from the elegant yachts, who’ll be on hand for the 35th Annual Charter Yacht show.
The sea-going chefs will compete against each other, while 36 individual local chefs and restaurants compete with their own landlubber creations. Competition will get under way at 5:30 p.m. at the seaside location.
WTJX Development Director Yvette deLaubanque says this is the first year the fundraiser has partnered with the yacht chefs. "We like to do something different each year," she said, "and this year promises be a fantastic feast, with all those chefs, land and sea."
Last year’s event, held at Crown Bay, featured a buffet spread far and wide over the complex, with white-skirted stations offering everything from apricot muffins and sophisticated shrimp dishes to arugula salads with mozzarella cheese, local salt fish and johnnycake, and even chow mein.
The Crown Bay event also highlighted the skills of the culinary arts students at Raphael Wheatley Skill Center – V.I. Career & Technical Institute, led by Chef/Instructor Leslie Gumbs, captain of the territory’s culinary arts team.
Along with the palate-tempting fare, there will be a wine tasting, a mystery basket contest by the V.I. Culinary Team, raffles, and music by Stanley and The Ten Sleepless Knights.
Last year, deLaubanque said, the station raised about $20,000 from tickets, raffles and drink sales. All proceeds go to benefit local programming.
Tickets are $50. She said it’s not too late to register. Contact deLaubanque at 690-7293.