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A Taste of St. Croix 2009!

For the ninth annual Taste of St. Croix food and wine extravaganza, the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort once again played host on April 16th to this always highly anticipated culinary event.

The culinary contest featured over 50 local chefs who prepared specialty dishes for attendees and celebrity chef judges who voted on their top picks in such categories as best appetizer, entree, dessert, presentation and more.

The cook-off took place in a gorgeous settingCelebrity chef judges of A Taste of St. Croix - along the white sand beach and under palm trees and white canopies decorated with twinkling lights at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort.

The competition was then followed by a gala after-party, sponsored by Moet & Chandon, in the Starlight Room at Divi Carina Bay.

Annually attended by nearly a thousand people, the culinary competition highlights the diverse, delectable and sophisticated cuisine of St. Croix, which is influenced by Cajun, Lebanese, Creole, Italian and French cultures and the fine dining opportunities that exist there.





Celebrity chef judges pictured front row, left to right: Catherine Driggers - Olive & Vine, Sonoma Creek, CA • Alessandro Brandi - Ristorante Alessandro, San Juan, PR • Antonia Lofaso - Top Chef competitor, Los Angeles, CA
Pictured back row, left to right: Willy Diggelmann - Rincon Aleman, Panama Johnny Vinczencz - Johnny V, Fort Lauderdale, FL • Kevin Rathbun - Iron Chef/Rising Star Chef, Rathbun’s, Krog Bar and Rathbun Steakhouse, Atlanta, GA • Leslie Gumbs - Theo’s Personal Catering, St. Thomas, USVI, and manager of USVI Culinary Team

This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Pat Henry, beloved general manager of the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort and well-known community figure who passed away last September. Pat vigorously supported and helped grow the event, which is held along the hotel’s beachfront every year. The Taste of St. Croix benefits the St. Croix Foundation, a non-profit organization that works diligently to revitalize the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets for this year’s event sold out within minutes, grossing $85,000 for the Foundation.

The following is a list of the winner's by Restaurant / Dish / Category:

Tutto Bene / Curry Carrot / Vegetarian

Salud Bistro / Braised Goat and Chickpea with dates
and olive relish / Appetizer

Galangal / Tom kha gai / Soups & Stews

Zebos / Lobster stock and coconut braised short rib with root vegetable gnocchis / Entrée

Dashi / Fujiyama saketini "The Drink that Makes Buddha Sing" / Beverage

Rowdy Joe's Northshore Eatery / Homemade espresso white chocolate chip & macadamia nut ice cream sandwich with single barrel rum caramel / Dessert

Betty's Kitchen / Salmon balls and johnny cake / Local

St. Croix Central High School Culinary Arts Class / Tropical Carrot Cake Cheesecake / Best Presentation

Click here to view the recipe!
All photography by Jennifer Cheung Photography.