Jennifer Johnson informs us that Trinidad & Tobago’s culinary team once again secured a gold medal for the team and additional gold medals for Chef, Junior Chef of the Year and Bartender competitions at the recently concluded Taste of the Caribbean, held in Miami, Florida, June 20-24. See press release below:

As part of continued efforts to solidify Trinidad & Tobago as the premier destination for epicurean travelers to the Caribbean, the culinary team from the sister-islands once again proved to have the “golden touch” by winning their sixth consecutive team gold medal at the Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition, held June 20-24, 2012. Led by team-captain Raymond Joseph, the squad won gold for the team, Chef of the Year, Devon Joseph, Junior Chef of the Year, Isaiah Connell and Bartender, Daniyel Jones.

Organized by the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA) as a member of the Caribbean Hotel Tourism Association, the five-day competition, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Miami hotel, featured 11 regional teams that included Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia and United States Virgin Islands. Each team prepared and presented food and drink that were judged on taste, execution of skills and presentation.

Other medals and awards achieved by the victorious eight-member squad included silver to Kendell Mulzal for Pastry Chef of the Year; Devon Joseph in the Cheese competitions; bronze to Rajesh Goolcharan for Seafood; Arnold Jupiter in the Beef competition and honors to Daniyel Jones in the bartender competition, in the best Vodka, Rum and Most Creative Cocktail categories. The award-wining team was guided by Louanna Chai-Alves, executive director, THRTA and Michelle Young, team manager.

Members of the 2012 National Culinary Team were Chef Arnold Jupiter (DSM Cuisine), bartender Daniyel Jones (Martini Makers), alternate bartender Carla Cupid (Hyatt Regency Trinidad), Junior Chef Isaiah Connell (Toppers Restaurant), alternate chef Rajesh Goolcharan (Ramphal Caterers), Chef Devon Joseph (Chaud Restaurant), Pastry Chef Kendell Mulzac (Hyatt Regency Trinidad) and team captain Chef Raymond Joseph (Courtyard by Marriott).

Photo of team-captain Raymond Joseph from http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,146153.html