The Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef competition was an absolute thrill from start to finish!

The competition was fierce, but in the end, Azarie Crump from St. Joseph’s Academy emerged as the champion with his innovative creation of a Coconut Infused Fungi and Conch Shepherd’s Pie with a conch ceviche and passion fruit salad.

What made Azarie’s dish stand out was the unexpected twist he added by incorporating Cassie as a secret ingredient into his fungi dish. With the guidance of his teacher, Chanda Joseph, and Chef Mentor Eustace Cabral of Jumby Bay Island, Azarie outshone the competition and secured a coveted spot on Team Antigua and Barbuda for the Taste of the Caribbean 2024 competition.

But that’s not all! Azarie’s triumph also garnered substantial rewards for his school, St. Joseph’s Academy, which received EC$10,000 sponsored by The Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank to enhance their Home Economics facility. And his mentor, Chanda Joseph, earned an all-expense-paid trip to Miami compliments the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, as a chaperone for Taste of the Caribbean.

Digicel generously provided Azarie with a smartphone, one year of cell phone service, and free roaming for his upcoming journey to Miami. And the runner-up, Ashauny Rattary of Antigua State College, earned EC$5,000 worth of equipment for the Home Economics facility, courtesy of Digicel. Janiya Murphy from Antigua Seventh-Day Adventist and Gregoryann Thomas from Sir McChesney George Secondary School secured $2,500 in equipment and supplies for their Home Economics facility, thanks to Mega Distributors and the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association (ABHTA).

The students were also showered with various gifts from Mega Distributors and the CHIEF Brand, Digicel, and Homebrew Hot Sauce. It was a truly exciting event that showcased the culinary talent of these young chefs and provided valuable opportunities and support for their future endeavors.

Congratulations to Azarie Crump and all the talented participants for their outstanding achievements in this year’s competition!