Megan Felicien & Michaela Poleon of Ciceron Secondary School are the new Champions of the SLHTA Chefs in Schools Cook-Off Competition 2016

A competition with a difference; full of anticipation and excitement was this year’s cook off competition hosted by the SLHTA. The event catered for a small studio audience made up of Students, teachers and parents who came out to cheer and show support for their respective culinary teams. The SLHTA Chefs in Schools Competition is an annual cooking event which targets Food and Nutrition students of forms 3-5 who are passionate about cooking and desirous of a career in Culinary Arts.

Adopting a similar format from Barbados’ Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge, students fought their way through two rounds of competition including the Signature /Freestyle round and Mystery Basket round. After the first round of competition which included all the six participating schools, only three schools made it through to the second round. Corinth, Soufriere and Ciceron Secondary Schools presented the most impressive dishes and it afforded them a place in the finals, which was the mystery basket round.

After 90 minutes to discuss, prepare and present their dishes with the excitement and buzz from the audience, the teams astounded the judges with beautiful and flavorful dishes.

In 3rd place, Raynesia Charles and Shane Garacksingh of Corinth Secondary School presented:

The Corinth Way

Herb and cornmeal crusted snapper fillet creole sauce

Married with cheddar potato and a bouquet of vegetables

Shrimp and spinach cannelloni

In 2nd place, Jenneh Abel and Alvina Brown of Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School presented:

Surf “N” Surf: Shrimp two ways

Cornmeal crusted shrimp and panseared shrimp

Roasted red snapper, love apple, mango and smoke herring salad

Soursop dressing breadfruit coconut casserole

Champion dish, presented by Megan Felicien and Michaela Poleon of Ciceron Secondary School:

Cornmeal and salt fish crusted red snapper with a Tania croquet and apricot compote

Megan and Michaela will be traveling to Barbados in two months to represent Saint Lucia at the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge.

The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association Inc (SLHTA) would like to congratulate all the participants in this year’s competition including Gros Islet, Sir Ira Simmons, Babonneau Secondary Schools, and the top three schools Ciceron, Soufriere Comprehensive, and Corinth Secondary Schools.

This year’s competition is proudly sponsored by the SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund. A special ‘Thank You’ to all the coaches;

Chef Niguel Gerald – Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort
Chef Elijah Jules – Anse Chastanet/Jade Mountain
Chef Refer Leonce – Cap Maison
Chef Peter Lawrence – Bay Gardens Beach Resort
Chef Brandford Edmond/ Mrs. Rosie Joinville – Tapas on the Bay
Chef Eike Lauff – Royal by Rex Resorts