The annual Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Competitions and Conference is taking place this year under the theme “Savoring Tradition, Shaping Tomorrow: Bahamian Culinary Heritage for a Sustainable Future”.

Ten students from across the country participated in a tense and sometimes emotional Junior Division competition at the A.F. Adderley Junior High School on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Despite the nerves and frayed emotions, the students were able to pull off dishes displaying their ingenuity,  creativity and skills.

Gerald Rolle, Executive Chef and Chief Judge for the competitions explained that most of the juniors were competing for the first time.

“From what I see, they are very talented, very creative and knowledgeable.  Some of them have their creativity based on what their teacher taught them, but some of them had their own ideas and skills.

“Overall, everyone did an excellent job.”

Executive Chef Rolle noted that ‘nerves’ was one of the biggest challenges that he saw amongst the budding chefs.  “That is normal because they are juniors.”

He continued, “You expect them to be nervous and make mistakes”: they’re focused on producing what they have practiced; but they look around and are more focused on their opponents.

He said, “As they progress in the program, as they become seniors, they become more competent.”

There were 10 judges — all of them certified to judge locally and internationally.

Executive Chef Rolle said the judges were looking for taste, presentation, texture, aesthetic appeal, presentation in terms of their booklet (portfolio), description of their menus, use of indigenous products, flavours, their conduct in the kitchen including sanitation skills – basically the overall kitchen experience.

The student competitors used a range of ingredients to create their dishes including sorrel, lobster, turbot, snapper, conch and pumpkin.

The students had to present and answer questions as to what ingredients they used to prepare their dishes, as well as their preparation process in the kitchen.  They had to also describe how they came up with their creations.

Their coaches were also on hand to give their own critique as to their students’ progress as they got ready for the competition.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Education, in conjunction with Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour, and the University of The Bahamas.

The students who participated in the competition were:

• Harshini Jagroo, D.W. Davis Junior High School, New Providence
• Amyra Cornish, S.C. Bootle High School, Cooper’s Town, Abaco
• Phillincia Anderson, A. Loftus Rocker High School, Acklins
• M’Leyah Major, Mangrove Cay High School, Andros
• Rahja McPhee, Huntley Christie High School, Nicholls Town, Andros
• Charity Knowles, Central Eleuthera High School, Eleuthera
• Simmia Lafleur, Preston H. Albury High School, Rock Sound, Eleuthera
• Fernander Knowles, Inagua All Age School, Inagua
• Sasha Fox, N.G.M. Major High School, Long Island

More Photo Highlights Below:

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