SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - For the first time since 2017, Team Sint Maarten/St. Martin is preparing to represent the island at the prestigious Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition, taking place in Barbados later this month.
Following a hiatus of several years during which the competition was not held, the island is making its long-awaited return to the regional culinary stage. Through weekly practice sessions, the four-member team has been sharpening its skills, refining its creations, and building the teamwork needed to compete against culinary talent from across the Caribbean.
Representing both sides of the island, the team consists of Senior Chef Jewel Daal of TJ's Cassava Coalpot, Junior Chef Jamal Dormoy of Anse Marcel Beach Club, Pastry Chef Djaya Coupey of Ocean 82, and Bartender Erion Peterson of La Samanna.
The team is supported by Team Coach Renata de Weever and Assistant Coach Paul Peterson. Their participation is made possible through the support of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, the Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, Winair, and PDG Supplies.
Over the past weeks, the team has gathered for practice sessions at TJ's Cassava Coalpot, the restaurant owned by Senior Chef competitor Jewel Daal. These sessions have focused on perfecting recipes, experimenting with flavors, and preparing for the challenges that await them in Barbados.
Daal stated: "We are happy as TJ's Cassava Coal Pot to host part of the trainings. I think our informal, local setting is a great base of operations for the first steps on the road to Barbados. Trying out local tastes, fused with new ideas is what we are used to at the restaurant. We invite all to come and try our (still secret) ideas and concoctions after our return in November!"
For Pastry Chef Djaya Coupey and Bartender Erion Peterson, preparations have centered around refining the recipes submitted in advance of the competition. Both competitors will be challenged to recreate their signature creations within a limited timeframe, impressing judges not only with taste but also with presentation, creativity, and technical execution. During the practice sessions, fellow team members and coaches have provided valuable feedback on flavors, techniques, and plating to further elevate the final results.
The Senior and Junior Chef categories present a different challenge. Both competitors will face mystery baskets, with ingredients only revealed at the start of their competition sessions. Drawing on her experience at several previous Taste of the Caribbean competitions, De Weever has been putting together challenging practice baskets designed to test the chefs' creativity, adaptability, and ability to perform under pressure.
With the competition fast approaching, the team's preparations will now shift toward reviewing competition rules and requirements, studying previous competitions, and fine-tuning their approach. The final practice session will closely resemble the actual competition environment, welcoming invited judges and guests to sample the team's creations while observing the competitors in action.
Beyond individual culinary skills, teamwork is an essential element of Taste of the Caribbean. The weekly sessions have therefore also provided an opportunity for the competitors to get to know each other's strengths, exchange ideas, and develop the communication and collaboration needed to perform as a team.
The support of local businesses and organizations has been instrumental in making these preparations possible. PDG Supplies has contributed toward team uniforms, equipment, presentation materials, and other essentials, while Winair's support helps facilitate the team's travel to Barbados. Together with the backing of both tourism offices, these contributions allow the team to focus on its preparations and arrive in Barbados ahead of the competition.
Team Sint Maarten/St. Martin will travel to Barbados on Saturday, November 14, with competition activities beginning on November 16. The team will gather at Princess Juliana International Airport at 6:45 AM to begin check-in procedures before their departure.
As the team prepares to represent the island on a regional stage for the first time in nine years, the community is encouraged to show its support and wish the competitors well. Supporters are welcome to join the team at the airport at 6:45 AM on November 14 to give them an enthusiastic send-off. With the backing of the entire island, Team St. Martin/Sint Maarten hopes to make its return to Taste of the Caribbean a memorable and successful one.
