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JUNIOR CHEF COOK OFF COMPETITION CONTESTANTS SELECTED

Twelve aspiring chefs have been selected to take part in the 2023 Junior Chef Cook Off Competition.

This year, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc remains committed to empowering the next generation of Barbadian chefs. This was made evident at the official media launch of the Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition, held on July 10th.

The Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition, which is a signature Festival event, epitomizes the overall Festival’s theme of ‘Feed the Future’. The finals take place on Saturday, October 21^st from 4pm-7pm at the Bajan Fair.

The Most Anticipated Cook-Off

Twelve young aspiring chefs will go head to head, in an immersive training period, honing their skills under the mentorship of the esteemed Chef Peter Edey.

Then the top participants will face off, putting their skills and creativity to the ultimate test.

(Back row L-R) Dejuan Toppin, Raphael Blenman, Kobe Balgobin, Gabrielle Bynoe, Rojae Griffith.(Front row L-R) Reese-Ann Alleyne, Domonique Grant, Sian Edwards, Ashonnia Taitt and Jade Harewood.

(Front row L-R) Reese-Ann Alleyne, Domonique Grant, Sian Edwards, Ashonnia Taitt and Jade Harewood.

“The Festival has been with us now for 12 years and we thought that if we were to have any longevity then we really needed to ensure that we develop the stars that will be the future of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival,” said Aprille Thomas, Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

She added that this year a tourism component will be introduced to the competition so participants will be out in the field during the training process to get hands-on experience. This year the entire competition will be filmed and curated similar to MasterChef Junior and Chopped Junior

After a selection process conducted by a panel of judges, twelve individuals ranging from 16-21 years old were chosen to compete in the competition. The selected contestants are Reese-Ann Alleyne, Kobe Balgobin, Raphael Blenman, Gabrielle Bynoe, Achon Callender, Sian Edwards, Dejuan Toppin, Dominique Grant, Mya Thornhill, Rajae Griffith, Jade Harewood and Ashonnia Taitt.

The Competition

The Junior Chefs will undergo an 8-week training which will include culinary and destination tours, challenges and elimination rounds. For most of the rounds, contestants will work as individuals, however, there will be the occasional team challenges.

The final eight contestants will then compete in the semi-finals and the top four will battle in the finals to see who the next Junior Chef Champion will be.

Empowering the Next Generation

The Cook-Off Competition was first established in 2022, where two winners received scholarships to the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute. This year the stakes are higher, and the prizes are even bigger as one winner will receive BBD $3000 cash, a scholarship to the Caribbean Cuisine Culinary Institute and an internship at the historic Crane Resort Barbados.

Though The Crane Resort has partnered with the Festival over the years, this is the first time the resort will be sponsoring an internship at one of their top restaurants.

Christopher Forbes, General Manager at The Crane Resort stated he is looking forward to welcoming the winner of the Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition to his team and providing them with the opportunity to experience different types of cuisine.

“The winner will be able to experience the pace in any of the restaurants as well as the cuisine while working with the ladies and gentlemen at the back and front of the house. They will able to see the movement of a large resort over a three-month period,” he explained.

Supporting Aspiring Chefs

The finals for the Junior Chef competition will be held in front of a live audience on October 21st, 2023, at the Bajan Fair, which is a new family-friendly event added to this year’s Festival. Admission for the Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition finals is $USD 15.

Tickets for the Festival including Junior Chef will be available for purchase on Friday, July 14^th at foodandrum.com. (PR)

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George