The Jewel’s Best Sparkle at Taste of Belize in OW

After a brief hiatus, Belize’s signature culinary event was held at the Muffles Auditorium in Orange Walk on Saturday. Taste of Belize 2016 saw great competition between culinary talents in Amateur Cook, Cupcake Decorating, Cake Decorating, Bartending and Master Chef Categories. The all-day event brought local and international foodies to the auditorium, giving them an opportunity to indulge in local cuisine, while showcasing the skills and techniques of the competitors.  In the end, culinary experts and mixologists from across the country came out on top with bragging rights, cash and prizes.

Karen Pike, Director, Marketing & Industry Relations, B.T.B.

“For master chef, we had our third place winner from Rain Restaurant and Rooftop Terrace in San Pedro. Second place we had Miss Marsha Reid from Pirates Treasure Restaurant and Bar from San Pedro and the winner master chef of the year Miss Eva Longsworth, an independent culinary artist from the Corozal District…very proud of her.”

Duane Moody

“Talk to us about the other winners and categories.”

Karen Pike

Karen Pike

“The amateur cook competition—where the competitors were given an hour and a half to prepare a main dish—after which the top three winners were chosen. For that, third place winner was Miss Lucelli Sam from Crave House of Flavors from San Ignacio. Second place Mister Gerrick Orozco from Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City and our winner amateur cook of the year Mister Kevin Chee from San Ignacio Resort Hotel in San Ignacio, which was great. Our cake decorating competition, the competitors were given ninety minutes to decorate their prebaked cakes. For third place we had Miss Elisa Quetzal, second place Miss Miyaro Polanco and our winner cake decorator of the year, Miss Maria Del Carmen Urbina. For cupcake decorating, the competition included competitors given forty minutes to decorate their prebaked cupcakes. Second place was Mister Mashahito Comangi and the winner cupcake decorator of the year, Miss Adrienne Young. So for bartending we actually had competitors compete in three elimination rounds. In the first round, they were given ten minutes to prepare an original recipe; the second round was the speed round. The competitors were given three drink recipes to complete as quickly as possible and in the third and final round, the remaining competitors were given a mystery basket each with four products. They were then given ten minutes to create two original recipes. For that, we had our third place winner, Mister Adrian Cowo, an independent bartender in Belize City. Second place, Mister Rikael Moran from happy Lobster Restaurant and Bar in Caye Caulker. And our winner bartender of the year, Mister Mark Jacobs from Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort in Hopkins. This platform gives all our winners and competitors a stage to showcase their skills; this shows that Belize is on par with what is expected from tourists and locals alike and it shows that we definitely have something to provide to the world from Belize.”