May 10, 2007 – For a sample of what the territory's top chefs can conjure up, join the V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association at a May 21 fund-raiser at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John. The money raised will send the V.I. Culinary Team to the Caribbean Hotel Association's June 17 through 19 Taste of the Caribbean competition in Miami.
The event begins at 7 p.m. A ferry will run from the V.I. National Park dock at Red Hook, St. Thomas to the resort at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets run $100 per person, which includes a three-course sit-down dinner.
Luana Wheatley, the Hotel Association's marketing director, said the Taste of the Caribbean competition gives the territory a chance to showcase the territory's high-caliber chefs.
"We get recognition, and these guys are really competitive," she said.
About 16 teams from across the Caribbean are expected to compete.
She said last year's team won silver, bronze and gold medals.
The 2007 team includes Leslie Gumbs of Theo's Personal Catering on St. Thomas, Steve Potter of the Grand Cru Restaurant on St. Thomas, Rodney Rightenburg of Caneel Bay Resort, Dennis Gribbin of the Cultured Pelican on St. Croix, and Brian Wisbauer of Salud Bistro on St. Croix.
Wheatley said a student intern from St. Croix Educational Complex's culinary program and one from Charlotte Amalie High School's hospitality program will be chosen to accompany the team.
Wheatley said that while the team has lots of support, particularly from the Tourism Department, the Hotel Association still needs to pay for things like chef's jackets, transportation and hotel rooms.
To reserve your tickets, call the association at 774-6835.
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