Convention centre snags award-winning chef

Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) welcomes on board 'Taste of the Caribbean' gold medallist, Chef Randie Anderson.

Having prepared extravagant meals for the last three prime ministers of Jamaica and many foreign dignitaries and celebrities, Chef Randie comes to this market with distinct culinary mastery.

From Jamaica to the Caribbean and United States of America, he has made a name for himself with stints at some of the country's leading hotels.

Known for his unrelenting creativity in the kitchen, Chef Randie arrived at the convention centre this fall after most recently serving as corporate chef at Rainforest Seafoods and restaurants in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

In his new role, Anderson oversees all of the food and beverage operation at the convention centre, including concessions, catering and special events. One of his first tasks in MBCC was a monumental challenge for any chef. Anderson surpassed all expectations when he and his culinary team successfully pulled together the catering by bringing in high-quality staff, sourced high-end product and quality local produce, implemented all administrative functions, standards and procedures and created a working kitchen.

"Right off the bat we put Chef Randie to the test and he passed with flying colours, not an easy task, since we have the largest kitchen in the Caribbean (over 15,000 sq ft)" said Dittie Guise, general manager of the MBCC.

Loves cooking

At a young age, Chef Randie found his love of cooking in his mother's kitchen in Southfield, St Elizabeth.

He studied at the Art Institute of New York and then continued chef training in local hotels. His first job was with Nino's Italian Restaurant in New York City. He earned a degree in culinary arts and restaurant management, and worked for the prestigious Vong fine dining restaurant before leaving the USA.

Once in Jamaica, in 2002 he served as chef for the SuperClubs Resorts. He has gained recognition as the 2011 Taste of the Caribbean gold medallist; 2009 Epicuran Best Chef cook-off winner; and 2011 winner of the Lion Fish Cook-off. He has also been highlighted in some food and lifestyle magazine.

"Chef Randie brings a unique international culinary expertise to the centre and our discerning clientele," said Guise.

Throughout his 14-year career in leading hotel chains, Chef Randie has led a variety of fine dining establishments, including menus featuring Oriental, French and traditional Caribbean cuisines and catering to both small and large groups.

Chef Randie likes to use fresh meats and local products and pair them with fruit sauces that enhance the natural flavours, often integrating Caribbean trends in his cooking style.

The Montego Bay Convention Centre is the newest premier convention, meeting and trade show venue in the English-speaking Caribbean, with over 132,000 square feet of social and business function space. For more information, please visit www.mobaycentre.com.