Rose Hall, Jamaica:

The Jamaica National Culinary Team amassed 10 medals and special awards at the recently concluded Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association Taste of the Caribbean competition.

After an eventful two days of cooking, creating, mixing and showcasing their culinary and bartending skills, Team Jamaica won the gold award for the 'mystery basket', which consisted of 20 items. The team was required to prepare a three-course meal in four hours from the contents of the basket.

They won first place for preparing the most innovative dish overall.

They also earned special awards for the best use of cheese in their orange scallion cheesecake, and most creative non-alcoholic drink, Ms Lou, named after the popular Jamaican cultural icon.

Top awards

Team Jamaica's award-winning pimento-oregano rubbed lamb shoulder with creamed potato latte minced pork and June plum patty with watermelon salsa, fennel-pumpkin seed mash, Blue Mountain coffee and sorrel chutney steamed baby bok choy.

Individual members of Team Jamaica who competed for the Chef of the Year award also received top awards. Bronze award went to Brian Lumley and Martin Maginley, Ravi Anne fell one short of the gold award to take home the silver. Pastry Chef Gilbert McKenzie and bartender Junior Lewis were not left out of the individual awards as they both received bronze for their respective categories. In addition, Stephen Sowa, walked away with the team manager's indigenous cuisine presentation award.

The team comprised coach/manager Stephen Sowa executive chef of Half Moon; Ravi Anne, chef de cuisine of the Sugar Mill Restaurant at Half Moon; Brian Lumley, executive chef at the French Embassy; Martin Maginley, executive chef at Round Hill Hotel & Villas; Gilbert McKenzie, pastry chef, and Junior Lewis, bartender at Starfish Resort & Spa. They competed against 13 other national teams at the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico.

The Taste of the Caribbean is the annual food and beverage festival of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association and is aimed at educating and inspiring food and beverage professionals across the Caribbean.

Half Moon's Chef de Cuisine, Ravi Anne poses with his silver medal for Chef of the Year. - Contributed photos