By Sonia Morgan, Staff Reporter 
Tiffany Wright, Miss Marllaw International Teen Queen 2002 is flanked by first runner-up, Wendy Lopez (left) and third place winner, Amoy Malcolm. - Contributed
Upstairs Island Grill, Twin Gates Plaza, was abuzz with chatter and steel pan music at Tuesday's breakfast launch of 'A Taste of the Caribbean Competition'. The competition, which will run from August 2002 to February 2003, is a joint effort of Island Grill, which was selected as the 'Best Jamaican Restaurant 2002' by the Broward New Times, in Florida, and Air Jamaica. Island Grill customers stand the chance of winning a trip for two to a Caribbean island each month.
Erica Hansen, marketing co-ordinator of Island Grill, said they were focusing on exposing Jamaicans to the other countries of the Caribbean through this competition. She said customers who purchase any combo meal will be eligible to enter the competition by filling out an entry form. The winner each month will be awarded with an Air Jamaica Holiday for two to the island of the month. Consolation prizes will include exotic gift baskets from the island of the month; bonus prizes of Ting gift baskets and Island Grill Session Pack.
Sandrea Falconer, Air Jamaica's communication director, said she is very happy to be working with Island Grill and said it was a wonderful opportunity to see the other islands. She added that oftentimes Jamaicans just travel to North America while there are so many things to see in these other islands.
Grenada Board of Tourism's marketing officer, Nicole Moultri, said the Caribbean market has always been an important source for tourism in Grenada: it is the third largest and the fastest growing.
Island Grill's CEO, Thalia Lyn, was very excited about the competition and was happy to be working alongside Air Jamaica on this venture. She was also excited about her restaurant being selected as the best Jamaican restaurant.
Guests enjoyed an Island Grill breakfast of eschovitched fish and bammy sticks with fruit punch and orange juice and a hot beverage from the coffee machine.
The schedule of islands to be promoted each month is as follows: September, St. Lucia; October, Antigua; November, Barbados; December, Curacao; January, Grenada and February, Cuba.
