Taste of the Caribbean^®, the annual celebration of Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine and culture, provides a showcase for diversity culinary skills and styles found throughout the Caribbean.

Competitions are for National teams only.  National Teams, selected by the national designated body, will consist of: 3 chefs, a pastry chef, and a bartender.  A coach/team manager may accompany the teams to assist with the coordination of activities and to give advice.

The format of the competition will require teams of chefs to compete in a ‘live kitchen’ environment, preparing a three-course meal for 25 persons, from a 'mystery basket' of ingredients. 

Each team will be allowed 4 hours to prepare and 1 hour to serve.  In these lunch and dinner ‘cook-offs,’ the chefs compete against established criteria, not against one another, which allows for a clear definition of excellence and is not affected by the relative levels of the competitors’ skills. 

The rest of us get to watch these masters at work, as they sift, chop, sauté, reduce, and garnish indigenous Caribbean ingredients to create artistic, mouth-watering delicacies ~ You can complete the experience by signing up to eat at one or more lunch or dinner cook-offs, paired with wines.

Honors and Awards

In keeping with tradition, the program will culminate in presentation of the Caribbean Food and Beverage Awards of Excellence, highest honors conferred on members of the Caribbean food and beverage industry, at an Awards Banquet.

All teams will contend for the top honors:

Medals:

Gold               100 – 91 points
Silver               90 – 81 points
Bronze             80 – 75 points

Prizes:

National Team of the Year
Chef of the Year
Bartender of the Year
Pastry Chef of the Year
Most innovative dish
Most innovative menu
Most creative overall drink
Spirit of the Competition
Ice Carver of the Year

Additional sponsors may offer prizes for use of certain products.

While the main goal of Taste of the Caribbean is to further the professional development of food and beverage professionals in the Caribbean, the four-day event will include tastings, workshops, seminars, and demonstrations for both professionals and food lovers alike. 

It is a celebration of the rich and diverse tradition of Caribbean cuisine.