The 2024 Saint Lucia National Culinary Team was officially unveiled on Wednesday, October 30th 2024, during a grand press launch hosted by the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA).
The talented group has been hard at work, preparing to showcase their culinary talents at the highly anticipated Taste of the Caribbean competition, slated for November 18-20th, 2024, in Miami, Florida.
TASTE was launched by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in 1993, and is the region’s premier culinary competition, food & beverage educational exchange and Caribbean cultural showcase.
This year’s competition marks the first since 2019, with eight countries vying for the coveted medals: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Turks & Caicos, and the United States Virgin Islands. Teams will compete in Senior and Junior Chef “Mystery Basket” events, a Pastry Chef Showdown and a multi-round bartending challenge.
The 2024 Saint Lucia National Culinary Team includes:
Senior Chef Neville Joseph: Joseph is from the Craft Capital of Saint Lucia, Choiseul. Shortly after graduating from Choiseul Secondary School in 2012, he stepped right into the renowned kitchens at Anse Chastanet Resort, where he’s been honing his craft ever since.
Junior Chef Kayla Joseph: Joseph hails from charming Soufriere, and is currently a student in the Hospitality Department at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. She previously participated in the SLHTA’s Chef’s in Schools Programme and recently completed an internship at Hotel Chocolat.
Pastry Chef Emmany Hippolyte: From Soufriere and currently working at Jade Mountain Resort, Hippolyte is a familiar face on the National Culinary Team, having won a gold medal in the pastry competition at TASTE 2019.
Bartender Ninus Charlouis: Charlouis, also from Soufriere, boasts over 18 years of experience. He currently crafts and mixes exquisite drinks at Ladera Resort, delighting guests with his unique creations.
Saint Lucia’s participation in the competition is made possible through the generous support of sponsors including the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Republic Bank, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), Nick Troubetzkoy’s Anse Chastanet /Jade Mountain, Ladera Resort and Uniforms & Accessories.
“The SLHTA’s TEF is extremely excited for today’s launch and the return of TASTE,” said TEF Programme Manager Donette Ismael. “A key part of the Fund’s mandate is to support Human Resource Development initiatives, particularly those targeted at our talented tourism and hospitality team members. Saint Lucia’s participation in TASTE provides an incredible opportunity to give back by investing in the development of our culinary professionals while promoting our island’s culture. This is precisely why we have supported the Saint Lucia National Culinary Team for so many years.”
She added: “This year we are thrilled to announce the TEF support of EC$ 75,000. This sponsorship reflects our deep-rooted commitment to the team and to the future of culinary arts in Saint Lucia. We are not just funding a competition, we are investing in the future of our tourism industry, our young professionals and the creative minds that put Saint Lucia on the global map. We all are cheering you on. We look forward to your success, and of course we are looking forward to bringing home the gold!”
Republic Bank Country Manager, Gezella Claxton, stated, “Republic Bank is proud to be part of this journey, supporting our local team as they strive for excellence and aim to bring home these prestigious trophies. When we come together, sharing a meal prepared with love and passion, we experience the very best of who we are as a people. And that’s something Republic Bank is deeply committed to supporting through our Power to Make A Difference programme (PMAD). The programme is also about empowering individuals and communities to achieve their full potential, exactly what this competition is about. Through PMAD, we will continue to invest in initiatives like TASTE because we believe in the power of culinary arts and hospitality to bring people together, create opportunities and make a real difference in our communities.”
Louis Lewis, CEO of the SLTA, remarked: “The SLTA is really pleased to be associated with this initiative. Saint Lucia has a good history and record and we expect no less than what has been done before. And therefore, when you look at the branding, ‘letting her inspire you’ we know that you will be presenting something that will be inspiring, not just the judges, but inspiring people to come to Saint Lucia. And that is why we are so strongly behind participation in TASTE. So, I’d like to wish you every success and give you the assurance that not only do we want you to win but we want to take your offerings and find the stories that make Saint Lucia attractive, and to invite people to experience it.”
The team has been training under the guidance of an experienced Management Team, with over 60 years of combined experience in the food and beverage industry.
It comprises:
Team Manager Chef Fabian Vigee
SLHT Director and Culinary Committee chair Wadi Zakhour
Consultant Chef Eike Lauff
Mixologist Alva Preville
Team Saint Lucia is eager to represent the island and will continue to undergo training in the days ahead.
SOURCE: Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association
