The grounds of Toad Hall at Top of the Baths National Park was filled to capacity last night November 23, 2019 as persons showed up to view and sample the variety of flamboyant and mouth-watering cuisine prepared by more sixteen chefs from various restaurants around the world, along with chefs from the Virgin Islands, including Virgin Gorda.

Special recognition was given to a number of young chefs, with Jr Chefs Radience Modeste and Ariq Flax-Clarke, both of the territory’s National Culinary Team, topping the list.

Good camaraderie!

Present among the large gathering were the two legislators from Virgin Gorda, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Jr Minister for Tourism, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL).

Hon Wheatley, who entertained the guests and residents even as they sampled a wide variety of the foods, said while he was not at all surprised at the turn-out he was happy to see, among other things, the camaraderie of all those present.

Young mentor

Hon Flax-Charles described Taste of Virgin Gorda as one of the premier events of BVI Food Fete. She shared the pride and joy of the success of it on several grounds, being a legislator for all the people of the territory, and her passion for youths in the field of the culinary arts.

She disclosed that her son and Jr Chef Ariq Flax-Clarke continues to do her proud, not just for what he does for himself but also his mentorship of other youths.

“It’s not only about the more grown teaching the younger ones….what we are seeing is the youths being their brothers and sisters’ mentors. They are teaching their less experienced but passionate and promising peers.”

Chef Flax-Clarke has taken under his wings budding Jr chef Javiel Walters, who said his passion for the kitchen and cooking and being creative at it started when at the age of 10 years his mother told him she was no longer cooking for him, something he said he never regret she did.

“That is how my passion and career jump started and I am very thankful to my mother for doing what she did when I was just 10 years old,” Walters, who is also a member of the National Culinary Team, said.

Aside from the food which never ran out, patrons were treated to steel pan music by Akim Johnson, who also performed a few romantic solo vocals.

Also offering entertainment were Tino and the Profile Band of Virgin Gorda, DJ Bertrum and feature guest artiste and Saxophonist, Arturo Tappin of Barbados, a combination that capped the night off as truly “epic”.