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Taste of Jamaica competition winners

Published:Thursday | October 27, 2011 | 12:00 AM
It was a clean sweep for the Round Hill Hotel and Villas' culinary family. Both Junior Chef of the Year and Chef of the Year awards at the Taste of Jamaica went to chefs at the resort. From left: Round Hill's Omar Robinson, Josef Forstmayr, Junior Chef of the Year Daniel Brooks alongside Chef of the Year Marvin Robinson and executive chef Martin Maginley. - photo by Sheena Gayle

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

ROSE HALL, St James:

It was a culinary/beverage competition at its best when Taste of Jamaica competition was held at the Montego Bay Conference Centre recently.

The two-day event was held under the auspices of the Culinary Federation of Jamaica, with title sponsor being Caribbean Broilers.

Some of the nation's top chefs, primarily from the hotel circuit, participated. The hundreds who passed through the event at various points were thrilled at the high level of the competition.

Chef of the Year Marvin Robinson was elated, although there is some sadness as his mother died eight months ago and could not witness this. The Maldon High School graduate honed his skills at Kenilworth, then at HEART Granville, and now on to his current employment at Round Hill hotel where he has been for the last five years.

Pastry Chef of the Year and wedding-cake winner, Lincoln Peterkin, didn't have much formal training, but that has not stopped him from excelling. "I got my training on the job. I didn't go to any institution; I just went through the pipeline and got my training," he told Food. He has been in the business for 24 years and is presently employed at HEART Runaway Bay.

Peterkin and Melissa Fletcher are the only two persons who were multiple awardees. Fletcher is the bartender of the year along with winning the Most Creative Vodka award.