Barbados retains title at Taste of the Caribbean

Barbados has retained the title of Caribbean National Culinary Team of the Year at the 2024 Taste of the Caribbean competition held in Miami.

The winning team included senior chef Rynaldo Joseph, Sea Breeze Beach House; junior chef Dejuan Toppin, Caribbean Cuisine Culinary Institute; pastry chef Rickeena Kirton, The Rockley by Ocean Hotels and Bartender Alex Chandler, Cocktail Kitchen.

Barbados also copped several other awards.

Dejuan Toppin was not only named Caribbean Junior Chef of Year but he earned the Hans Schenk Commemorative Award for the Most Innovative Dish Utilizing Indigenous Ingredients.

Alex Chandler also captured the award for Best Non-Alcoholic Drink.

Taste of the Caribbean was held in conjunction with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) annual industry conference, the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which ran November 18-20, at Florida International University’s Kovens Center in Miami.