2025 Saint Lucia National Culinary Team unveiled!
(Castries, Saint Lucia – October 30th 2025)- The Saint Lucia National Culinary Team has its sights set on bringing home the coveted title of Caribbean National Team of the Year at Taste of the Caribbean (TASTE) 2025.
Launched in 1993 by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), TASTE is the region’s premier culinary competition, food & beverage educational exchange and Caribbean cultural showcase. Team Saint Lucia had a strong showing at last year’s event in Miami, Florida placing 2nd overall and capturing a total of 1 Gold (Pastry), 2 Silver (Senior and Junior Chef), and 1 Bronze (Bartender) medals. Performance across these four categories contributes to the overall ranking for Caribbean National Team of the Year.
This year’s team was officially unveiled on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 during a ceremony at the Harbor Club, attended by representatives of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), sponsors and the eager and determined culinary professionals.
Reserve Senior Chef Davidson Henry, 2024 Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year Emmany Hippolyte, Reserve Junior Chef Shermal Victorin and Reserve Bartender Elissa Alcee.
A key highlight this year is the addition of reserves, giving them the chance to learn, practice, grow and even participate where necessary. By attending the various sessions facilitated by food & beverage experts, participants will also return home with revitalized passion, fresh ideas and new techniques to share within their respective workplaces.
The 2025 Saint Lucia National Culinary Team comprises:
- Competitors: Senior Chef Neville Joseph (Anse Chastanet), Junior Chef Damisa William (Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa), Pastry Chef Khapel Gee Alcee (Ladera Resort) and Bartender Ninus Charlouis (Ladera Resort).
- Reserves: Senior Chef Davidson Henry (The BodyHoliday), Junior Chef Shermal Victorin (Jade Mountain) and Bartender Elissa Alcee (Stolentime).
- Mentor: 2024 Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year and Gold Medal winner, Emmany Hippolyte.
Bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the delegation, the Management Team features:
- SLHTA Director and Chair of the Culinary Committee Wadi Zakhour
- Team Manager Chef Fabian Vigee
- Eike Lauff, Consultant Chef
- Executive Sous Chef Elijah Jules
- Bar Team Manager Alva Preville
- Project Coordinator Juliet Sutherland
(Left to right) Team Manager Chef Fabian Vigee, Bar Manager Alva Preville, Consultant Chef Eike Lauff, Project Coordinator Juliet Sutherland and SLHTA Director Wadi Zakhour.
This year TASTE will be held in Barbados from November 16-18, featuring participants from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Turks & Caicos and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Team Manager Chef Fabian Vigee, said, “We strongly desire to improve on last year’s performance. When you get a taste of success, you want more. The Saint Lucia National Culinary Team wants more! Last year the time was short and there wasn’t time to practise as much as we wanted, but we punched beyond our weight. This year, we have placed some more pressure on ourselves. As we look ahead to November, we invite Saint Lucians to rally behind our team. Let us show the Caribbean and the world that we also have culinary Julien Alfreds! Saint Lucia’s flavours are unmatched, our creativity unstoppable, our culinary pride unshakable. Together, we say with confidence: Saint Lucia, we’re ready for TASTE!”
SLHTA President Erwin Louisy
SLHTA President Erwin Louisy said that the Association continues to prioritize human resource development across the tourism and hospitality industry. “Our people are our greatest asset, and the continued growth of the sector depends on investing in their skills, knowledge and professional growth. Initiatives like the National Culinary Team and TASTE achieve this by opening doors of opportunity.”
She continued: “Our commitment also extends to the youth, as we work to recommence our Chefs in Schools programme to inspire and prepare the next generation of culinary talent. It was a proud moment last year when a former champion of this schools programme, Kayla Joseph, went on to represent Saint Lucia as the Junior Chef on the National Culinary Team — a full-circle moment that speaks volumes about the value of investing in our young people. On behalf of the SLHTA, I wish you all the very best as you continue this journey. Make the most of this experience, perform with excellence and I am confident that you will bring the title and medals home to Saint Lucia!”
The SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has returned as the title sponsor for this year’s team with an EC$148,000 allocation. SLHTA CEO Noorani Azeez, said, “This year the fundraising has been exceptionally challenging. Notwithstanding the tremendous support of other sponsors, we had an EC$148,000 deficit and we are ever so grateful to the TEF for absorbing that shortfall. The TEF remains committed to supporting Saint Lucia’s youth and developing the talent of our hardworking team members.”
Saint Lucia’s participation in TASTE is made possible through the generous support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Invest Saint Lucia, Harbor Club, Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain, Ladera Resort, Royalton Saint Lucia, The BodyHoliday, Stolentime and Uniforms & Accessories.
Follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for ongoing updates, team highlights, and live coverage from Barbados.
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