Mango Fest 2009 Was A Blast

Details

Food & Drink

Sunday, 16 August 2009 22:23

By press release

The fourth annual Christian Valley Mango Festival was a major hit as thousands turned out to tantalize their taste buds with mangoes and its’ by products under the theme  “Eat Local, Eat Fresh Local Mangoes Are The Best.”

This year’s Mango Festival has recorded the biggest success in terms of attendance. Minister Chanlah Codrington said “Mango Festival is more about National Pride than simply display of various assortment of mangoes and it’s by products.”

He disclosed that “we have to step up to the plate to put our agro-processors products on the supermarket shelves not only locally, but regionally and internationally.”

Minister of Agriculture Hilson Baptiste underscored the success of the two-days festivities while introducing the key players who aided in the pulling off of the Mango Festival.  He also complimented the agro-processors for their hard work in preparing the products, like Mango lotion, mango mosquito sprays, mango lip gloss, mango jalapeno jam, mango tartlet, and more.

Director General of Tourism Corthwright Marshall said “ the Christian Valley Mango – Pineapple Festival is not just about showcasing our mangoes and pineapples, Mango Fest for us is all about community spirit and nation building….It is about how we mobilize our people to utilize our natural, scenic and agro-tourism potential to ensure that we create the type of society that is prosperous, productive, healthy and proud.”

Marshall noted that the Ministry of Tourism is happy to be part of the historic occasion and reaffirmed their commitment to Mango Festival. He said this is an effort to build a greater brand awareness, increase visitors arrivals and increase market share thereby stimulating greater economic independence and development.

At the festivities: mango eating competition, ringside games, ice cream making, performances, drama, storytelling, and mango trails exploration wrapped up on high note with several chefs, bartenders, art competitors, farmers and agro processors walking away with  prizes and surprises.

Coping the Dame Gwendolyn Tonge award in the Magic Mango/ Pineapple Culinary Competition organized by Madeleine McComas, held August 8th, was Lenroy Williams Commis Chef, Hermitage Bay Resort. Williams also receive an award for the most innovative chef. In addition to his awards he won an all inclusive 2 days for two at Blue Waters Antigua.  

Second place in the Chef Competition went to Silvester Henry, Commis Chef of Blue Waters Antigua. Henry received an award and a dinner for two at Hermitage Bay Resort.

In the third spot was Charlesworth Jeremy, Sous Chef  of Blue Waters. He also collected an award and a dinner for two at The Home Restaurant.

Daniel “Timmy” Thomas, bartender at the Beach Restaurant was the overall winner in the Bartender’s section and was adjudged the most innovative bartender. Thomas also received two books from Quin Farara’s Liquor Stores. Additionally, Thomas received two gifts from Best Cellars Wines & Spirits, a Travelling Case, and a book on Mount Gay Rum.

In second place was Latoya Cabral bartender at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. Carbral  received a book from Quin Farara’s Liquor Stores and a Travel Case from Best Cellars Wines and Spirits.

The bartender Lisa Ford Cannonier of Galley Bay Hotel & Spa, took the third place slot.  Cannonier was presented with a book donated by Quin Farara’s Liquor Stores and a Travel Case from Best Cellars Wines and Spirits.  

In the Inter American Corporation for Agriculture best Agro-Processors Award Competition, Gladys Bailey, Gloria David and Margaret Georges received awards for the first, second and third positions respectively.

Collecting the Hon. Hilson Baptiste Prize for the Best Farm on the Christian Valley Road were farmers, Bernard Nichols, Reynold Joseph, and Hezekiah Thomas. Nichols walked away with $500 cash.

Meanwhile, 6-years old Terry Benjamin Jr. and 12 years old Terikiah Benjamin were both winners in the Mango fest Art Competition. Their prizes were courtesy LIME.

 

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