Taste of Belize 2016

Belize City, Belize – July 11, 2016 – On Saturday, July 9, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) held its signature culinary event, ‘The Taste of Belize.” For the first time, the event took place in “Shuga City,” Orange Walk Town. The all-day event was filled with competitions, as well as lots to eat and drink.

Below is a breakdown of the competitions and the winners for each.

Amateur Cook Competition:

Competitors were given one hour and a half (1.5) to prepare a main dish, after which the top three winners were chosen.

3^rd Place: Ms. Lucelli Sam from Crave House of Flavors, San Ignacio

2^nd Place: Mr. Gurick Orosco from the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza, Belize City

Winner/Amateur Cook of the Year: Mr. Kevin Chi from the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, San Ignacio

Cake Decorating Competition:

Competitors were given ninety (90) minutes to decorate their pre-baked cakes.

3^rd Place: Ms. Elisa Quetzal

2^nd Place: Ms. Mayerah Polanco

Winner/Cake Decorator of the Year: Ms. Maria Del Carmen Urbina

Cupcake Decorating Competition:

Competitors were given forty (40) minutes to decorate their pre-baked cupcakes.

2^nd Place: Mr. Masahito Kumagae

Winner/Cupcake Decorator of the Year: Ms. Adrienne Young

Bartending Competition:

Participants competed in three elimination rounds. In the first round, they were given ten (10) minutes to prepare their original recipe.

The second round was the speed round. The competitors were given three (3) drink recipes to complete as quickly as possible.

In the third/final round, the remaining competitors were given a mystery basket each, with 4 products. They were then given ten (10) minutes to create two original recipes and five (5) minutes to execute to create the two original drinks using three of the mystery ingredients.

3^rd Place: Mr. Adrian Cowo, An independent bartender in Belize City

2nd Place: Mr. Ricael Moran from Happy Lobster Restaurant & Bar, Caye Caulker
Winner/Bartender of the Year: Mr. Mark Jacobs from Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins.

Master Chef Competition:

Participants competed in three elimination rounds. In the first round, competitors were given fifteen (15) minutes to prepare an appetizer.

In the second round, competitors were given forty five (45) minutes to prepare an entrée.

In the third/final round, competitors were given thirty (30) minutes to prepare a dessert.

3^rd Place: Mr. Samuel Gonzalez from Rain Restaurant & Roof Top Terrace, San Pedro

2^nd Place: Ms. Maresha Reid from Pirate’s Treasure Restaurant and Bar, San Pedro

Winner/Master Chef of the Year: Ms. Eva Longsworth, an independent culinary artist from Corozal district.

The BTB wishes to thank all participants for their stellar work. We would also like to thank all the sponsors and those who attended the event for making it such a success!

We look forward to the next Taste of Belize!