‘Taste Of The Caribbean’ in Miami

Gourmands come indulge in Caribbean cuisine and test your palates while learning the tricks of the trade from experts in the field during the “Taste of the Caribbean” consumer program taking place June 24 – 25, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Miami.

Taste of the Caribbean is a competition-style event organized by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) that showcases the region’s best chefs, pastry chefs, junior chefs and bartenders with the ultimate crowning of “Chef of the Year,” “Pastry Chef of the Year,” “Junior Chef of the Year,” “Bartender of the Year,” and “National Team of the Year.”

Consumers can savor the best in Caribbean cuisine at tasting meals as well as attend workshops with leading chefs who will provide insider secrets for enhancing the culinary experience. This year’s consumer program includes:

Friday, June 24:

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Taste of the Islands Competition – 10 Caribbean culinary teams create two savory tastings, one enticing dessert and one rum-based island signature cocktail.

Saturday June 25:

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Wedding Cake Demonstration presented by Chef Nicholas Lodge, Pastry Chef/Owner of The International Sugar Art Collection – Renowned pastry Chef Nicholas Lodge will detail the advantages of using the new Massa Couture Orange Rolled Fondant Collection in the art of cake decorating. Chef Lodge will demonstrate how to pair Massa with the new Pastry Ideale Gel Colors to achieve visual harmony as well as the intricacies of various decorative elements for cake design.

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.mBartender Competition (Vodka) – Sample the creations of 10 Caribbean bartenders as they prepare, shake and stir their Vodka creations for judging.

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Experience the excitement as five Caribbean teams finalize preparations for the three-course lunch menu.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.International Caribbean Culinary Team Challenge – A three-course lunch paired with wines. Competing lunch teams include Anguilla, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Curacao and Jamaica.

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.NourishingYour Soul: Soulful Pan-Latin and Pacific Coast Cuisine With Chef Scott Neuman of Portland’s Oba Restaurante – Learn about creative techniques for preparing classic Latin American and Spanish street food and entrée recipes. Participants will learn how to select the best available seasonal foods and quality ingredients such as the Certified Angus Beef brand and local produce. Chef Neuman will also share creative wine and cocktail pairings.

3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.Bartender Competition (Rum) – Sample the creations of 10 Caribbean bartenders as they prepare, shake and stir their rum creations for judging

5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.Entertaining With Cheese: Chef Jon Ashton and Diahann Smith, Florida Dairy Farmers – With over 500 cheese makers in the United States, session participants will learn about the different categories of cheeses, the best wine and beer pairings and delicious entertaining ideas.

7:00 p.m.Experience the excitement as five Caribbean teams finalize preparations for the three-course dinner menu.

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.International Caribbean Culinary Team Challenge – A three-course meal prepared with wines. Competing dinner teams include Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States Virgin Islands.