Following the wonderful setting of the Aquarium Restaurant & Bar, in March, the GHTA was very fortunate to have the use of the Beach House Restaurant & Bar last Sunday night, for the latest of their increasingly popular ‘Gourmet Evenings’. Waves gently lapping on the shore and the backdrop of lush vegetation, lent a feeling of peace and serenity making the venue truly fabulous.

At 4 pm a community table filled with locally grown produce along with a mystery basket containing the protein to be prepared, was handed over to two teams, each consisting of three chefs and one pastry chef.  After the allotted half an hour to decide on their menus, the chefs began the race against the clock to have three mouth watering courses for twenty five persons per team, cooked and plated by 8 pm.

The Blue Team of Mervin Browne and Jason Church of Spice Island Beach Resort, Randy Toussaint of The Aquarium Restaurant & Bar and pastry chef Roland Baptiste of Spice Island Beach Resort decided on a menu of Seafood Broth with Sweet Potato Dumplings followed by Sauté Medallions of Port Red Wine & Shado Beni Jus, Spiced Pumpkin & Cauliflower, Ravioli of Ripe Plantain, Bacon & Herbs and Confit Carrot, and a dessert of Mango & Soursop Layered Torte with Chocolate & Praline Base.  

The Red Team of Agnes Chitan of Spice Island Beach Resort, Barny Cyrus of the Flamboyant Hotel & Villas, Emerson Skeete of True Blue Bay Resort and pastry chef Kim Modeste of the Grenadian by rex resorts choose to prepare a Appetiser of Smoked Mahi Mahi with a Herb & Carambola Salad with a Sea-moss Dressing followed by Braised Pork Tender Loin & Pigeon Peas wrapped in  Pochoy on Roasted Pork Tender Loin with Molasses & Spices served with a Creole Coo Coo Puree, Pumpkin & Cauliflower and a dessert of Mango Caramel, Soursop & Passion Fruit Mousse on a Chocolate Bed, and Sweet Potato & Cashew Nut Pone.

An important componant of the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition is the Bartenders Competetion and Derek Cuffee of the True Blue Bay Resort has been Grenada’s representive in this field for the past two years and has put the experience to good use constantly improving his technique, and ideas for his exotic drinks.  However, there are several bartenders on island eager to give him a run for his money and Sunday night saw Antonio Bain of the Grenadian by rex resorts, and Andre of the Aquarium Restaurant & Bar, competing for the first time, producing non-alcoholic, rum and vodka based cocktails which were highly appealing to look at and delicious to taste.

Guest at the ‘Gourmet Evenings’ are encouraged to sample all dishes and cocktails.  Mr. Damon Du Bois of Westerhall Estate, in his role of master of ceremony during the cocktail hour, and Mr. Stanley Minors of the Beach House Restaurant & Bar, master of ceremony for the remainder of the evening provides commentary, ably explaining the proceedings and garnering instant feed back from the guest as to their opinions of the drinks and dishes presented.  In addition guests are asked to complete a critique sheet on which they rate the cocktails and dishes.  This information, vital to the chefs and bartenders, gives a base for discussion as to where they are improving and what areas need to be worked on.

At the beginning of the ‘Gourmet Evenings’ in October of 2007, though there were experienced chefs competing for the Blue Team, the Red Team was entirely new to competition.  The Red Team floundered to some extent to begin with but slowly and steadily they began to show improvement, nipping away at the heels of their competitors until finally last Sunday, their score exceeded that of the Blue Team by thirteen points.  This is a great achievement for the Red Team of which, they are justifiably proud.

Due to the kind indulgence of the sponsors of these very important evenings, the GHTA have this year, been able to keep the cost of attendance to $99.00 EC per diner.  Each diner is entitled to a sample of all the cocktails produced by the bartenders, a glass of wine and a delicious three course meal.  Funds raised at the event goes toward sending the team to the Taste of the Caribbean Competition which, this year, will be held in September, dates and venue still to be decided by the Caribbean Hotel Association.  Persons wishing to attend a ‘Gourmet Evening’ or those simply interested in further information may contact the GHTA office.

Le Fleur Bleu will host the next ‘Gourmet Evening’ on Sunday 18th May and the public are welcome to drop by and observe the proceedings should they wish to do so.

The GHTA would like to offer heart felt thanks to Mr. Stanley Minors for providing such a wonderful setting last Sunday and for being a very willing and gracious host.  Mr. Minors came on board at the beginning of these events and has given generously of his time in his capacity as judge, master of ceremonies and now host, for which the GHTA is very grateful.  Mr. Mark Banthorpe, Executive Chef of the Spice Island for the second year in succession has managed the team and is to be commended for his hard work and dedication.  These two gentlemen along with several of the other international chefs at various hotels and restaurants in Grenada have helped our local chefs to improve their standards to the point that the GHTA is confident that Team Grenada stands a good chance of achieving the elusive Gold Standard, at the Taste of the Caribbean 2008, for the first time.

The GHTA would like to recognize the sponsorship of the following business establishments and ask that persons wishing to support this worthy cause come forward and join them in making it possible for the team to compete in 2008 and beyond.  Thanks are also due to the students of the TAMCC who once again assisted the chefs and waiting staff.  The staff of the Beach House Restaurant & Bar deserves a special mention as they willingly gave up their day off to ensure the smooth running of the event.  

The Grenada Board of Tourism            Flamboyant Hotel & Villas
True Blue Bay Resort                    Spice Island Beach Resort
Grenada Fish House                    Beach House Restaurant & Bar
Bulk Buy                        Westerhall Estate
Blue Beard Enterprises