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TASTE OF THE CARIBBEANJULY 28-31 in Miamiby Madelyn MillerFEATURING PRIZE-WINNING FOOD AND BEVERAGES, WORKSHOPS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND MORE Imagine tasting the best of the Caribbean Islands all in one place. You can do all that at the Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.
The Caribbean Culinary Federation (CCF) will welcome national culinary teams from 20 Caribbean countries, food and beverage professionals and members of the general public with interest in Caribbean cuisine and culture at Taste of the Caribbeanä, the annual conference and showcase for Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine. The event will appear, for the first time in the U.S. marketplace, at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, July 28-31, 1999.
Several hundred chefs and bartenders from the Caribbeans finest resorts and restaurants will match skills at this most important event on the Caribbean culinary calendar.
Conference activities, four full days of seminars, tastings, workshops, receptions, ceremonies, folkloric events and a gala dinner dance, surround competition for the annual Caribbean Food & Beverage Awards of Excellence, the regions highest industry honors, which will be presented to the Caribbean National Team, Chef, Pastry Chef and Bartender of the Year and winners in many special categories.
Secrets of Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine -- cooking demonstrations with interpretations of the CCF signature foodstyle by some of the regions top chefs, is always one of the most popular parts of this annual event.
A first at Taste of the Caribbeanä 99, Chefs from in and outside the Caribbean are invited to participate, as individuals, in 9 categories of mystery basket competition against judging standards set by the American Culinary Federation. Cash prizes totaling $500, plus CCF Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for point scores, will be presented in each of the categories: Practical, Hot Food: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Fish, Rice and Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian (with Pasta, Eggs, Grains), plus Salad and Dressing, Individual Plated Dessert and Patisserie (Form Cake Decoration).
These individual competitions represent an extraordinary opportunity for attendees to view 90 live cooking demonstrations by top chefs over 3 afternoons in an open gallery setting. Other seminars, workshops and demonstrations at Taste of the Caribbeanä 99 will include pairing wine with Caribbean spices, after dinner drinks, ice-carving and a decorative centerpiece competition. Chocolatier and Pastry Arts magazines will add to the program with chocolate sculpting, sugar pulling and more. Author/chefs will also be on hand to sign books purchased during the event.
The grandest of social functions on the program is Taste of the Nations, Friday evening, July 30, a colorful and spectacular all-Caribbean food and folklore celebration with hors doeuvres displays created by national teams in the Competition kitchens, prize-winning Caribbean cocktails and wine tasting. Set against the background of the Dorals recently-completed lagoon pool, a showpiece in its own right, the evening of fine food and beverages, music and merriment, Caribbean-style, promises to be a highlight of Taste festivities.
Legendary French chef, Paul Bocuse, long-time friend of Taste of the Caribbean, will be on hand, courtesy of Seagram-Champagne Mumm, to cheer on the teams and sample the fare. The Taste of the Nations celebration is open to the public with tickets priced at $75 per person. Announcement of the team competition finalists, prizes for individual competitions and the Best Booth award will be presented at the Awards Breakfast on Saturday, July 31. Following a day of final competitions, the Caribbean Food & Beverage Awards of Excellence will highlight a gala dinner dance, culminating the festivities, on Saturday evening.
The world-famous Doral golf and spa facilities will be available at reduced rates throughout the conference to Taste of the Caribbeanä attendees who purchase the conference registration package. A golf tournament for delegates will take place on Saturday morning, July 31. Deluxe room for 5 nights at Doral Golf Resort & Spa (arrive July 27, depart August l) with complimentary continental breakfast daily in La Terraza Restaurant, daily newspaper in room, unlimited local and 800 phone calls from room, daily in-room coffee, free parking, use of health club facilities, all gratuities for bellmen, housekeeping and valet plus access to and discounted rates for the Dorals 5 world-famous golf courses (99 holes) and the renowned Doral Saturnia Spa. Round trip transfers (Miami Airport) via Super Shuttle Reserved seat for One Tasting Luncheon or Dinner (per person) from the Team Competition Kitchens in the Restaurant of the Nations Taste of the Nations A Food and Folklore Extravaganza with Cocktails, Hors dOeuvres and Caribbean Entertainment The Awards Announcement Breakfast Cocktail Reception and Dinner Dance with Presentation of the 1999 Caribbean Food & Beverage Awards of Excellence Seminars, Demonstrations and Tastings plus a Bartenders Competition Complimentary Cocktail Reception each afternoon Register on or before June 15 to save $50 per person with Early Bird prices: $1325 for Two (Double Occupancy) plus air, $1020 Single Occupancy plus air. After June 15, prices are $11425 for Two (Double Occupancy) plus air, $1060 Single Occupancy plus air. All rates are exclusive of 12.5% state and local taxes and fees payable to the hotel on departure. Day passes and tickets to selected special events will also be available locally. For more information about Taste of the Caribbeanä: Taste Travel Package Furey & Associates, NY 212-355-7034 Fax: 212-980-9244 furey@compuserve.com For information about the Caribbean Culinary Federation, call: Customer Service Caribbean Hotel Association, San Juan, PR, 787-725-9139 Fax: 787-725-9108 wpina@chahotels.com courtesy of Caribbean Culinary Federation Back to TravelLady Magazine |