BDF, BHTA join forces for Taste 2020

Some of the island's best young chefs have a new training ground to get themselves ready for battle in the 2020 edition of the Taste of the Caribbean. 

After years of undergoing training at various hotels around the island, a new partnership has been struck and last year's championship team will be gearing up with the help of the Barbados Defence Force.

With the new accord having started from February 19, the 25-member team are under the scrutiny of military officers three days a week before they head off to Miami in June. 

The partnership, which is between the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and the Barbados Defence Force, sees the team using the bar and kitchen facilities at the historic Officers Mess at St. Ann's Fort to hone their skills while being critiqued by the military's top brass.

Addressing the diners before this past Wednesday's session, Team Manager Henderson Butcher explained what was expected of them. "We need to get some feedback from you guys early because we have some new members on the team this year and we need to stay ahead of the game when it comes to training. They are a little ahead than they usually would be, so I wanted that before we actually get to a real gourmet, that they can have this kind of session instead of just doing and not understanding what they are supposed to be doing, he said before going on to clear up some misconceptions about the selection of the team. 

"A lot of chefs heard about the team, know about the team and they think it is about favouritism. But only now they are realising the work that goes into it. A lot of chefs in Barbados don't like to do paperwork, but unfortunately if you're a member of the team, you have to do paperwork or you cannot participate," he stated.

With it still early on in the training, the team was split into two factions – the Creative Foodies and the Flaming Breadfruits and they were charged with creating two separate menus on the day. Butcher rounded out his speech by urging the officers to be as honest as possible as their main purpose was to help the team grow.

"Just be as honest as possible, while being respectful at the same time because this is helping the culinary team of Barbados who are the reigning Caribbean champions, to solidify what we are doing this year and we need your help to do so. So far the relationship between the Barbados Defence Force and the culinary team of Barbados is good and I can see a lot of areas that we can grow in and I really thank you for being a part," he said. (MP)