Discover A Taste of St. Croix at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort

Celebrity chefs, culinary enthusiasts flock to Caribbean island April 14, 2011

Chapel Hill, NC - Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort, St. Croix's only all-inclusive property, will host nearly 1,000 culinary enthusiasts for A Taste of St. Croix, inarguably the island's most anticipated and delectable affair. The annual tasting and culinary competition, which showcases the island's diverse cuisine, will be held on Thursday, April 14. The open-air event is part of the multi-day St. Croix Wine & Food Experience (April 10-16) and will be held under the stars on Divi Carina Bay's white sand beachfront.

More than 55 restaurants vie for "Best of" awards in a range of categories including Best Local Fare, Best Presentation and Best Vegetarian dish, highlighting St. Croix's thriving restaurant scene. Vintners from around the world will also participate and offer attendees a sampling of their wines

As host of this celebrated event, Divi Carina Bay is offering a delicious travel deal for those ready for the island's warm Caribbean breeze and a top-notch epicurean experience. The Divi Taste of St. Croix travel package guarantees two tickets to the event and after party, which typically sell out within minutes, along with a three-night, all-inclusive stay with beachfront accommodations. The price is $1,410 per couple for three nights with additional nights available at $470 per night. The package is valid for travel April 12-17.

Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort hugs the white sand of the island's south side, nestled in a mountain-rimmed turquoise bay. The resort offers 195 modern guestrooms with stunning views, dining at four fabulous restaurants, live entertainment, St. Croix's only casino, an on-site PADI five-star dive center, superior island hospitality and more.

Celebrated chefs and culinary personalities from Atlanta, Boston, Ft. Worth, New York and Puerto Rico judging this year's A Taste of St. Croix include:
• Dannielle Kyrillos - Editor-at-Large of DailyCandy.com and judge on Bravo TV's Top Chef: Just Desserts
• Kevin Rathbun - "Sultan of Steak", award-winning chef, Food Network's Iron Chef America winner (Bobby Flay) and owner of three acclaimed restaurants in Atlanta, Ga. (Rathbun's, Krog Bar, Kevin Rathbun Steak)
• Tim Love - Bravo TV's Top Chef: Masters competitor, Food Network's Iron Chef America winner (Masaharu Morimoto) and chef/owner of three restaurants in Ft. Worth, TX (Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Love Shack and White Elephant Saloon)
• Ana Sortun - James Beard winner, Bravo TV's Top Chef: Masters contender, cookbook author and owner of Oleana in Cambridge, Mass.
• Anita Lo - Chef and owner of Annisa in New York City, named one of the most influential women in business and winner of Food Network's Iron Chef America (Mario Batali)
• Liza Shaw - Chef and owner of A16 in San Francisco and Tokyo and recognized as Restaurant Hospitality's Rising Star (December 2009)
• Robert Trevi-o - Food Network's Iron Chef America contender and famous for his Nueva Latina cooking at his restaurant Budatai in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Michael Ferraro - Executive chef of NYC's macbar, a new restaurant dedicated to gourmet macaroni and cheese. He is also a mainstay in the kitchen at the popular Delicatessen in Soho.

A Taste of St. Croix benefits the St. Croix Foundation and fosters economic, social and cultural development on the island.