Little Cayman chefs, both professional and amateur, put their culinary skills to the test this weekend in a cookoff that saw a wide range of mouthwatering dishes being assessed by a panel of judges.
The cookoff at The Hungry Iguana, which was accompanied by an evening of live music by Dr. Bob’s Experiment, was a fundraiser for the Sister Islands Tourism Association.
The event was not without challenges, as the barge which brings food supplies to the island had been unable to land for nearly three weeks due to high winds and rough seas, leaving a shortage of certain ingredients.
But the chefs nonetheless produced an array of starters, main courses and desserts that left the judges impressed and the attendees well fed.
Prizes went to professional and amateur chefs in the three categories of starter, main course and dessert.
Diane Fite of the Seahorse Cafe was crowned overall winner for her rich and sumptuous seafood tortellini dish.
Peter Quilliam, president of the Sister Islands Tourism Assocation, who organised the event, said the amateur cooks put on “a hell of a show and put the pros to task, so no way is this a first and second placement, they are winners in their own right”.
The judges were Dylan Benoit of Carnivore restaurant, Sean Collins of Boxed and Mise en Place, and local nurse Charmaine Coore, who stepped in at the last minute to replace a judge who was unable to attend.
Benoit, who hosts the Food Network Canada/Cooking Channel television series Fire Masters, said this was first cookoff on Little Cayman in a number of years, “so thanks to Peter and SITA for bringing this back to life and showcasing the culinary talents that we have here in the Sister Islands”.
He told the participating chefs, “Thanks so much for cooking for us this evening. I came hungry and I’m leaving very, very happy.”
The event was a cross-island one with hotels Southern Cross, Little Cayman Beach Resort and Paradise Villas offering accommodation for the judges and band, Jacque Scott Wines & Spirits supplying beverages, and The Hungry Iguana hosting the event and putting on a barbecue for those who still had some room left after indulging in a taste of the competition dishes.
Winners:
Starter Amateur: Tamara Boyle for her roast pepper dip
Starter Professional: Cheryl Ravina from Southern Cross for her conch sliders
Main Course Amateur: Jill Blanchett and Adam Radermeyer for their duck pistachio carbonara
Main Course Professional: Diana Fite of Seahorse Cafe for her seafood tortellini
Dessert Amateur: Kammy Essi for her white chocolate peanut butter bark
Dessert Professional: Diane Fite for her macaroons
Overall winner: Diane Fite for her seafood tortellini
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