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NIFCA food expo at Agrofest again

Food lovers of all ages and from all walks of life are in store for a captivating realm of culinary delight when flavours and talent collide at the NIFCA Culinary Arts Expo at Agrofest over the weekend.

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has been a proud sponsor of Agrofest over the years, however, the NIFCA Culinary Expo, on Saturday and Sunday, is now in its second year.

NCF Festival & Events Planner Karen Pestaina is promising an exciting and fantastic display of culinary mastery. This, as some of Barbados’ top chefs and mixologists utilise locally sourced ingredients to serve up gastronomic delights, of which patrons who visit booth G14 at Queen’s Park will get the opportunity to sample.

Pestaina explained that the NCF is celebrating several anniversaries this year, including the 50^th anniversary of the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) as well as the 40^th year for the NCF.

“What you will get to see are some of our fantastic top chefs utilising local products. Many times, people may not be aware of how many condiments that we have locally made by young entrepreneurs and business people, so we will be showing that also,” she said.

The culinary expo will showcase a wide cross-section of entrepreneurs, many of whom are past NIFCA participants, who have developed into businesses through the NCF’s Business Development grant and the BTMI Accelerator Programme. These eight exhibitors will have a variety of local products on offer.

Another treat this year is the tasty corner, which features top chefs Chef Peter Edey, Chef Creig Greenidge, Chef Kaira Riley and Marlon Waterman, along with mixologist Ryan Adamson, Philip Cassanova and Damian Williams. Expect a sweet corner with Azwa Hart.

There’s a special demo in honour of NCF’s 40^th anniversary .

Pestaina added: “We also want to showcase to the public how much we have done in the NCF. So, it’s going to be really exciting. In celebration of our anniversaries . . . Chef Marlon is going to be carving in fruit the NCF logo. So, I am really looking forward to that one because this is a different way of showcasing our logos. We also added this year two mixologists because we know they play a great part, both here and internationally, all of the creative ways of utilising our rum.

“We are also excited to have Chef Yard joining us this time and doing his sweet potato and salt fish croquette. We have a mixologist who is doing Passionate Basil Lemonade… and then we have chef Kaira Riley, she is doing a dish, ‘Bout Hay Uh Come From’, which is utilising steamed fish with savoury cou cou with a pineapple and tomato salsa…. So, it’s going to be a great food and beverage event,” she added.

The NCF tent (G14) can be found when you enter the main gate and turn right, take the first path on right. Pass the bridge on your left and continue traveling along the path to the 5th stall on your left.

Reminding visitors about last year’s overwhelming patronage of the booth, Pestaina further noted the need to be early because seating is limited. However, a screen will be erected to ensure visibility for those people who are not close enough to see the chefs table. (PR)

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.