The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association is a leading industry
partner in organizing the inaugural Taste of Wadadli, Junior Chef Cook-Off
Competition, with competitors drawn from the nation’s secondary schools.
The official launch of the competition took place on Thursday at the Sir John E. St.
Luce Conference Centre. It brought together the students and their home
economics teachers participating in the competition, along with representatives
from the participating entities and sponsors; the Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua
and Barbuda Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Education, and the GARD Centre
with sponsors ECAB Bank and Digicel.
Executive Director of ABHTA, Patrice Christian-Simon said the competition
serves as an excellent gateway for participants into the hospitality industry. “The
primary objective of this competition is to provide students with an invaluable
glimpse into the hospitality industry, as well as to recognize and nurture those
students who exhibit a genuine talent and passion for culinary arts. Moreover, this
competition serves as a gateway to future training and employment opportunities
for the participants. Equally essential to this event is the emphasis on celebrating
the rich taste and flavors of our islands,” she stated.
Chairman of the ABHTA, Craig Marshall, said the association is quite excited at
the response it received from the schools. “We have been overwhelmed by the
enthusiastic response from schools and colleges, with a total of 18 institutions
registered and ready to compete. As we shift our focus to high schools, we are
delighted to introduce a competition that we intend to include in our annual
calendar of events at the ABHTA. Our primary goal is to identify students like
yourselves who possess a natural talent for culinary arts and provide them with a
platform to nurture their passion. This is a key mission for the ABHTA.
Chief Executive Officer of the ABTA, Colin C. James hailed the competition as an
excellent example of the partnership between private and public sector entities.
“This is the epitome of corporate private and public partnership. I must commend
the ABHTA, Craig (Marshall) Patrice (Christian-Simon) and their team as well as
the Ministry of Tourism with the involvement of ECAB Bank and Digicel coming
together for a good cause,” he observed.
He added that he was pleased to see young people being encouraged to get
involved in one of the most sought-after sectors of the hospitality industry. He
revealed that hotels and restaurants are constantly seeking to fill the position of
executive and other chefs in their establishments.
Representing the Ministry of Education was a member of the Home Economics
Department, Iris-Mae Gumbs, who also welcomed the inauguration of the
competition. “This initiative is now considered a very important event on the
Home Economics academic calendar. Any opportunity for students to acquire new
skills and gain meaningful exposure is exactly what we look forward to in the
execution of Home Economics education in our twin island nation’s schools. So
your partnership with the MOESCI is indeed timely and welcomed because many
benefits for young chefs and teachers will be garnered from participating in this
Competition,” she added.
Eighteen schools are competing with two representatives each, a lead chef and an
assistant. The home economics teachers will serve as their guides. The competition
consists of two phases: a preliminary cook-off in October; the 27 and 30, and the
grand finale scheduled for December 4, 2023.
The top four teams will move on to the finals; the third and fourth-place teams will
receive $2,500.00 to upgrade their Home Ec. Departments, second place will
receive $5,000.00, and the overall winners, $10,000.00 donated by ECAB Bank.
