When you bust through the roof and reach for the stars, there’s nothing between you and the next planet but the thinnest of air and the beauty of the universe. Such was the heady feeling of 600 strong who attended the 25th Silver Anniversary of the Taste of St. Croix at Divi Carina Bay Resort & Casino on Thursday evening.
Faster than a speedy bartender, able to leap into the gastronomical atmosphere with a single bound, this Collin Hodge annual extravaganza runs like a well oiled timepiece, each sector of the event working with the precision and efficiency of a team that loves their work and is proud of their “one-night only” accomplishments.
Master of Ceremonies, Anthony Weeks, started off the night’s events with an introduction of all the Judges at the pre-Taste press conference. A finer group of seasoned hospitality/food people could not be found. One and all bursting with pride as they spoke about their qualifications as being chosen to judge everything from soups, to entrees to deserts.
The live music was hypnotic with a selection of local bands that set the night on fire. The pitched-white tents set-up on the Divi front lawn could not look finer, quite a nifty place to hold a gathering of locals who were dressed to the nines and had their A-Game social skills front and center. The crowd gave forth with excitement and love to meet n’ greet their neighbors and friends. They ate, they drank, They ate, they drank. And then did it all over again. Every moment, every inch of space spelled out the wonderful cordiality that Crucians are known for worldwide.
Wokame Island Sushi Bar & Restaurant, located in the Caravelle Arcade, led by Celebrity Chef Jamal Miranda, hit the heights with his grilled Lamb Lollipops with Guava Berry Glaze and Sweet potato mash. His slogan “You have the right to remain silent, to sit down and eat good food.”
Through the Grapevine, a new spot in the courtyard at 5 King Street in C’sted, headed up by the charismatic Chef Ari Wolcott, served up some great Coq au vin with glazed carrot pomme puree and some very tasty Tomato & Brie cheese tartlets. “It was a long road getting here, but it’s such a blessing to be around such amazing talent,” Chef Ari remarked about the other great chefs in the booths around her.
“The food is out of sight,” said Jody Anne, a local who has been attending Taste for years. “That mushroom thingy and those BBQ Lambchops were the bomb.” Her friend Kanisha wholeheartedly agreed.
Finca Khalil, a Halal Sheep Farm, located by Dale Browne’s Sejah Farms, that specializes in delicious and nutritious Halal Chicken & Lamb, owned by Tasahil Khalil and his mother Sonia Roy, had their lamb and rice pilafs on the menu. “I am ecstatic to be here,” Sonia told Yellow Cedar Media, the popular online publication was one of this year’s Sponsors of the Taste of St. Croix. “I’m always on the other side of the table so I’m totally happy to be on this side for once.”
Kaienta Matthew, who owns Crucian Wings Carib & Mediterranean Dine, across from The Market STX in Frederiksted, was serving up some remarkably tasty Chicken Shawarma wraps. “This big guy sure knows how to deliver a Big Taste!” One of his patrons remarked.
Chef Ozzie Kitchen, which is a Food Truck on the corner by Canegata Ballpark, was dishing out some great oxtail soup, Surf n’ Turf along with grilled salmon and lamb chops topped with honey cajun coconut curry sauce. “I am so happy to be here to advance my business by the Bypass,” Chef Ozzie said. “It’s a great night.”
1756 Grotto, a new hot spot on Strand Street in the Club Comanche Hotel, and their soon to open sister restaurant, Ciba Matta, was serving up some excellent Pear Tortellini and super Cruzan Sangria. “We are proud to be a part of this wonderful culture,” said award-winning Head Chef Stephen Coe, who beat Bobby Flay in the Food Network’s Chopped: Beat Bobby Flay show. “We feature classic European Italian with a modern approach.” Chef Coe added.
Pizza Mare, which just opened across from the old Avis Newspaper building in Princesse, put out an excellent penne pasta with grilled chicken breast along with shrimp and mahi for their fish selection. “It’s a beautiful night,” said Chef/Owner Craig Davis. “Anytime you can get together with food, family and friends it’s always great. We’re happy to be here.”
Cibone, the West Side Seafood favorite off King Street, in downtown Frederiksted, featured some delicious fish dishes. “The West is the Best,” Chef/Owner Gregory Richards told M.A. Dworkin from Yellow Cedar Media. “We serve the freshest wild caught seafood. Never frozen, Sea to table. Farm to table.”
As the Xpressway Band, headed up by Pat Edwards on the Electric Guitar and Karen McIntyre-Bruce “Lady Mac” pumped out the groovy sounds of Reggae and topped it off with their version of Prince’s Purple Rain, there couldn’t have been a care in the world for the Taste crowd. It was all good. Everything was beautiful beneath a cool, starry night sky.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. fresh back from his trip to the all-important Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Miami looked to be one of the crowd. “We had a great trip at Seatrade. Very productive,” he told Yellow Cedar Media. “It’s a beautiful night. I’m always happy to be back home. The Taste is always a great event.”
The Mission Lighthouse, owned by the Southgate Baptist Church, held down a very popular booth guided by Pastor Abraham Kennedy. The Mission serves up food for the homeless six days a week from their location in Market Square in Christiansted.
“Our goal is to feed the homeless but to also give them hope. We tell them it’s never too late to do something new and do something better,” Pastor Abraham stated. The fact of the matter is their Shrimp Boil with andouille sausage couldn’t have been any better. It was heaven sent! And everyone knew it.
And so the night went on. The 25th Taste was a complete success. It rocked the East Side! It shook the South Shore like a cultural bombshell! The Taste of St. Croix stands for fun. It stands for love. It stands for peace. It stands for friendship, and all the goodness that Crucian life can bring to the table.
Yellow Cedar Media Congratulates the winners and the contestants!
1st Place Winners:
Entree – Boots & Bones Smokehouse
Appetizer – Boots & Bones Smokehouse
Soup & Stew – Chef Ozzie Kitchen
Vegetarian – Vital Vibrations
Local Fare – Divi Carina Bay
People’s Choice – 1756 Grotto
Desert – Sugar Rush
Presentation – Sugar Rush
Beverage – VLP Enterprise
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