City Chic | Island Kick: “Culinary Competitions, Cupcake, Signature Dish and Mystery Basket Challenges - WHO WILL BE CROWNED YOUNG CHEFS 2018?” at The 26th Annual Bahamas Young Chef Competitions

Theme: “Infusing the Flavors of My Island: Dis We Bahamas”

The 26th Annual Bahamas Young Chef Competitions is underway with the first of three phases which began January 8th - 31st, 2018. Phase 1 - the inter-school competitions - allow Family and Consumer Sciences junior and senior students across the nation, the opportunity to compete in a face-off within their schools. The best student from each island and/ or school moves on to the semi-final round in Phase 2 of the competition. Finally, the crème de la crème will go head to head in the "Nationals" - from March 13-15, 2018, when the Champion Young Chef will be officially crowned!

Last year The Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Competition, the sponsors, Mahatma® Rice, Robin Hood® Flour, in conjunction with The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology decided to add new challenges and prizes to an already exciting programme.

Special team challenges include:

“Young Chef Cupcake Competition” 2-member teams, for grades 10-12 students

“Young Chef Cupcake Competition” 2-member teams for grades 7-9 students

“Young Chef Signature Dish Competition: Pastry (Flour)” 2-member teams, grade 12 students only!

“Young Chef Mystery Basket Competition: Hot Dish (Rice)” 2-member teams, grade 12 students only!

These new challenges increased the interest of students nationwide, resulting in the doubling of participants over the previous years - with the majority of them flying in from the Family Islands. The students were extremely excited to show off their intrinsic culinary skills to "Wow" the judges and confidently represent their schools.

During the 2017 Awards Presentation, The Bahamas Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite, lauded the partnership of the private and public sectors, especially their teachers, for creating such success for the future of culinary arts in The Bahamas.

“I commend the organizers, teachers and students for the level of professionalism and skills they have developed and demonstrated during this event and challenge you further to allow the expertise, the constructive criticism and recommendations of the industry professionals attached to the competition to propel you toward maximizing your productive capacity as budding chefs. Students, your potential is limitless.”

“To the sponsors, the judges and the organizers, such an event is an ideal representation of the value and strength of public private sector partnerships in order to build capacity in Culinary Arts within The Commonwealth of the Bahamas. “I challenge you to find new avenues and ventures to expose more students to such a heightened level of professional exposure. We look forward to 25 more years of great success.”