TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN
TWELVE NATIONAL teams are down so far to demonstrate their culinary prowess at the next 'Taste of the Caribbean' competition, scheduled for October 2-5 at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Hotel, in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.
The annual event is handled by the Caribbean Culinary Federation, currently chaired by Jamaica's Peter Rousseau. The CCF is described as "the culinary arm" of the Caribbean Hotel Association.
The 12 teams are from Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Grenada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Thomas/St. John, US Virgin Islands, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Individuals from Belize and St. Vincent & the Grenadines are also registered to compete in the Individual Chefs category.
Others wanting to participate in the show, but not compete, can pay a registration fee of US$100, which gives access to workshops, trade shows and the cocktail awards ceremony.
"We are witnessing the rediscovery of our grandmothers' cuisine, reinvented, with a growing following of aficionados in the Caribbean and abroad," said a release on the show quoting Rousseau.
JEF SALARY SURVEY
The Jamaica Employers Federation launches its latest salary survey today at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew.
The 2003/04 document will outline the salaries of supervisory, technical, clerical and hourly paid staff. But this year, the survey goes further to project salary increases, has included job functions and titles, and outlines new training programmes as well as management styles adopted within organisations.
CARIBBEAN GIFT AND CRAFT SHOW
The creations of more than 45 Jamaican artists, artisans and designers will be part of a "scintillating mix" of authentic Caribbean art, fashion and gift items to go on display in Grenada, says Jampro.
The 10th annual Caribbean Gift and Craft Show has returned for a second year to the Grenada Trade Centre where it will unfold over four days, from September 25-28.
Some 200 regional and international trade buyers are expected, representing retailers, distributors, gift shop representatives, interior designers and decorators. Additionally, more than 20 Caribbean countries will have goods on display. The exhibits include jewellery, metal craft, art, sculpture, fashion, aromatherapy and aromatics, furniture and gourmet gift items.
Jamaica, which has had the largest contingent at the show over the years, expects the same level of representation for this year's showing, says Jampro.
Air Jamaica, the national carrier, is facilitating Jamaica's delegation to the fair and is offering participants a complimentary piece of luggage, the investment promotion agency added.
