Minister of Education and Technology & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked all of the stakeholders who made the 32nd Annual Young Chef Culinary High School Competitions a great success.

“I would like to thank the chefs who considered this important and worth their while to pour into these young people.  When you see them in 10 years, you will know that you had a hand in their reality,” the Education Minister said at the Awards Ceremony held at The Government High School on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Minister Hanna-Martin also recognized Keith Parker, MBE, who died last year.  He helped to establish the competitions in 1992 along with his wife Sara.

The two principals of P. S. Advertising and Public Relations persuaded representatives of two manufacturers Robin Hood Flour and Mahatma Rice to sponsor a cooking competition for students enrolled in the Home Economics and Hospitality/Tourism Studies Program, now called Family & Consumer Science Education, offered in government and independent high schools within The Bahamas.

The Minister also praised the Ministry of Education staff who organized the competitions as well as the coaches and the parents of the competitors.

She noted that the culinary competition is great as it showcases Bahamian ingredients and dishes.

“Our food is fantastic and it is different from other nations, even those in the region.  Even though there might be similarities – it is different.”

The Minister said, “This competition helps to celebrate the cultural reality of who we are, while at the same time celebrating your skills, talents and abilities to knock it out of the park.”

She told the competitors that if they stick with the culinary industry, they have the ability to make a great living and help the Bahamian economy.  “This is a huge industry.  When you do it well, this industry brings enjoyment to other people unlike anything else.”

Everyone went home with some recognition, but the top three winners in both the Junior and Senior levels of the competitions took home a myriad of prizes.

In the Junior Division, first place went to Simmi LaFleur, a grade nine student of Preston Albury High School in Eleuthera.  She is the recipient of the $650 Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour Cash Scholarship Award and the Gold Medal.

Ms. LaFleur also received the Keith and Sara Parker Founders Award Plaque and the Free Registration for Career Exploration Award Certificate, which entitles the bearer to attend a Johnson & Wales University Summer Career Exploration program at either the Providence, Rhode Island or Charlotte, North Carolina campus for students entering their junior or senior year.

In the Senior Division, first place went to Michaela Dorsett, a grade 11 student of Preston Albury High School in Eleuthera.  She is the recipient of the $1,750 Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour Cash Scholarship Award and the Gold Medal.

Ms. Dorsett is also the recipient of the Keith and Sara Parker Founders Award Plaque, and the Bahamas Young Chef Senior High School Culinary Competition Floating Trophy for which she received a $10,000 scholarship to Johnson and Wales University.

Junior Division 2nd and 3rd Place Winners

Charity Knowles, grade 9 student of Central Eleuthera High School took home 2nd place.  She received a $450 cash scholarship, a silver medal and a Free Registration for Career Exploration Award Certificate to Johnson and Wales.

Harshini Jagroo, grade 9 student of D.W. Davis High School, New Providence, took home third place.  She received a $300 cash scholarship, a silver medal and a Free Registration for Career Exploration Award Certificate to Johnson and Wales.

Senior Division 2nd and 3rd Place Winners

Kahree Bowe, grade 11 student of Kingsway Academy, New Providence, took home 2nd  place and received a $1,000-scholarship award and a silver medal.  She was also awarded a $5,000 Johnson and Wales scholarship.

Kendrianique Forbes, grade 12 student of Central Eleuthera High School took home 3rd place and received a $550 scholarship award and bronze medal.  She was also awarded a $5,000 Johnson and Wales scholarship.

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