Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer
David Thomas (left), 2005 winner of the Tastee Talent Contest, accepts his trophy from last year's winner, Winston Ramsay. The Grand Finals of the Tastee Talent Contest was held at the Tastee Outdoor Centre, Cross Roads, on Thursday.- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE CROSS ROADS area was abuzz with excitement last Thursday when the Tastee Talent Contest made its final stop for the year at Tastee, Cross Roads.
The grand final was highly amusing, with some great performances. There were also several original entries that made the judges' job more difficult.
After months of preparation and performances, the judges concluded that David Thomas, first place winner in the March Parish Competition, was the best on the night.
Thomas gave a great performance and had the entire crowd supporting him throughout his stint. The noise from hundreds of fire crackers echoed throughout Cross Roads, while torches lit the night sky as Thomas deejayed his original song aimed at 'bigging up' the ladies.
STAR'S WELCOME
Thomas received a star's welcome and further showed he believed himself a star based on his attire. The young man was dressed in a pink jacket suit that was complemented by a white felt hat, white shoes, white socks and white gloves. Though his attire looked impressive, however, it was his delivery and lyrics that propelled him to victory.
The deejay 'spat' lyrics in the manner of Papa San and went from performing with a one drop beat to a capella and then back to the one drop.
Minutes after his performance, accolades were still being bestowed upon him in the form of fire crackers, screams and roars from the crowd. Thomas won $75,000 for placing first, and was also given an additional $10,000 for being judged the best dressed male.
All the performances were good in their own way and each got crowd support.
Michael James, who placed second, walked away with $50,000. His entry 'Make the Little Children Grow' was judged 'best original entry' and added another $10,000 to his wealth. He was given yet another $10,000 for being the most cooperative contestant.
PERFORMANCE WELL CO-ORDINATED
Third-place winner, seven-year-old Akeem Hewitt's performance was well co-ordinated. Dressed as a patty, the youngster won the hearts of the patrons with a piece dubbed 'Tastee Patty'. The lines from the poem were amusing and had the patrons laughing up a storm.
"When mi tell mummy seh mi hungry, she nuh worry cook fi mi, she jus' gi mi $48 an' seh guh buy a patty.
"Di way di patty sweet, mi nuh haffi drink juice wid it. Cause to how it know mi it nah guh choke mi," he said.
Akeem walked away with $40,000 for placing third and was given an additional $10,000 for best costume.
Michellieko Hall won the $10,000 prize money for best dressed female.
Each contestant was given a trophy for entering the competition. The emcees for the night Bagga Brown and Claudette Pious were also hilarious in their own way. Stone Love provided the music for what was a successful and amusing staging of the Tastee Grand Final.
