Curaçao hotel and restaurant staff receive multiple awards at Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference
Chefs and bartenders from Hotel Kura Hulanda, Floris Suite Hotel, Trupial Inn, Otrobanda Hotel and Breezes among winners
Willemstad, Curaçao (July 17, 2006) – At the 2006 Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC) presented by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), awards for the 2006 Executive of the Year and the 2006 Caribbean Chef of the Year went to residents of Curaçao, as did the culinary gold medal, the bartending silver medal and honourable mentions in the pastry competition.
Taste of the Caribbean, the premier international culinary event in Caribbean cuisine, challenges teams of five, including three top chefs, a pastry chef and a bartender, from CHA member hotels to compete against one another to determine which island has the best culinary skills in the Caribbean. The Curaçao team excelled in the competition and took home the gold. The award-winning team was made up of Stephan Brallet of Hotel Kura Hulanda, Hans van Triest and Loucine Pastoor of Floris Suite Hotel, Carl de Windt of Trupial Inn, team bartender Howard St Jago of Otrobanda Hotel and team manager Marcal Wittenburg of Breezes.
“The island of Curaçao is extremely proud of the men and women who received these awards, which show the world what we have known all along – that we have great people and great culinary minds on island,” said Clifton Walle, Executive Director of Tourism. “In fact, these awards couldn’t have been presented at a better time as the island of Curaçao gets ready to showcase its culinary talents during the 2nd Annual Curaçao Culture, Cuisine and Heritage Experience this fall.”
Hans van Triest, head chef at the Floris Suite Hotel in Curaçao, won the acclaimed Caribbean Chef of the Year award. Triest is originally from Holland where he worked in numerous Michelin star-rated restaurants. He is currently the food and beverage manager and executive chef at Sjalotte, the restaurant at the Floris Suite Hotel.
“I am honoured to be chosen as the 2006 Caribbean Chef of the Year,” said van Triest. “To be selected among so many talented chefs really means a great deal to me.”
Nearly twenty Caribbean national culinary teams participated in Taste of the Caribbean during CHIC 2006, including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten/St Martin, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and United States Virgin Islands.
Don Werdekker, executive vice-president of the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA), received the prestigious Executive of the Year award. Werdekker has been executive vice-president of CHATA since 1991 and is also a board member of the Curaçao Trade Industry Association, which is the representative body of the Curaçao business community.
“It is great to be part of the CHATA family and to be recognized by your peers for doing a good job,” said Werdekker. “That job can only be done well with the support of an enabling board and motivated staff, which I am privileged to have.”
Curaçao, located outside of the hurricane belt, boasts an eclectic mix of history and culture, which creates a Caribbean experience like no other. Also known for its ecotourism and pristine diving conditions, Curaçao attracts the adventure traveller as well as those looking to unwind and enjoy its perfect climate. Visitors to Curaçao can enjoy an 18-hole championship golf course, casinos and much more. American Airlines offer daily flights into Curaçao through Miami. Continental Airlines provide weekly service to Curaçao through Newark.
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