The International Development Bank (IDB) has announced that they will fund the participation of 2 chefs from each territory of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), for a total of 14 chefs, to participate in the Taste of the Caribbean.
The regional culinary competition, presented by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and its culinary division Caribbean Culinary Federation (CCF), will be held October 2-5, 2003, at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The territories of the OECS are Antigua, Grenada, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.
“CHA is genuinely grateful to the IDB for their continued commitment with the professional development of the Caribbean hotel and tourism workforce,” said Alex Titcombe, director of product development and operations, which oversees the culinary division of CHA. One of the goals of Taste of the Caribbean is to contribute to the formation of a strong class of Caribbean nationals dedicated to food & beverage.

The event also includes seminars, workshops, demonstrations and a trade show with exhibitors focused on easing access to state-of-the-art products and services for Caribbean hospitality professionals. 
IDB has worked closely with CHA over the past three years in the development of another professional development initiative, CARIBCERT, a regional certification program for Caribbean hospitality professionals. With IDB funding, CHA developed culinary occupational standards and tasks applicable to various culinary positions for CARIBCERT. 
Related Story on Caribbean-Weekly:
(17/06/2003) 12 National Culinary Teams to Compete at ‘TASTE’ 2003

CHA launches CARIBCERT

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