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Caribbean Baking Awards: A Celebration of Island Flavors and Talent: One Caribbean Baking Together

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The Caribbean Baking Awards, founded by Shanda Webster-Glasgow, has swiftly emerged as a cornerstone for celebrating Caribbean baking talent. The inaugural event, held on February 16-17, 2024, created a platform that honors Caribbean bakers, showcasing their skills and the flavors of the islands. With strong community support, the Caribbean Baking Awards has become a vibrant hub for bakers, judges, and food enthusiasts to celebrate and connect over the region’s culinary diversity.

Inaugural Event Highlights

The 2024 Caribbean Baking Awards gathered 30 nominees from 12 Caribbean Islands, with bakers showcasing their creativity, passion, and regional pride. The Ultimate Bake-Off crowned Dexter Cambridge from Trinidad as the overall winner, with Akim Ismael from Dominica, Jessica Bess from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Timoy Titus from Antigua and Barbuda following in first, second, and third places, respectively.

The competition was evaluated by a prestigious panel that included celebrity judge Yolanda Gampp from How to Cake It and Nailed It, Natasha De Bourg from Trinidad, and two local judges: Chef Mike and Chef MacGarvey Thompson. Their expertise brought a unique blend of international and local perspectives to the judging process, highlighting the event’s commitment to both global standards and authentic Caribbean flavors.

2025 Event Platinum Sponsorship; InterCaribbean Airways

The Caribbean Baking Awards proudly partnered with InterCaribbean Airways as its Platinum Sponsor for 2024. Thanks to their sponsorship, 10 talented bakers from the OECS Islands will have the opportunity to participate in the Ultimate Bake-Off, enriching the competition with diverse regional talent. To encourage more travel and participation, InterCaribbean is providing a 15% travel discount for nominees and attendees and the rest of the bakers in the Ultimate Bake-Off flying to the British Virgin Islands for the 2025 Awards. Travelers can apply this discount using the promo code BVIBAKING15 at the time of booking on the InterCaribbean website. This generous support exemplifies the Awards’ mission to create an accessible, region-wide celebration of Caribbean baking.

Partnership with the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB)

The Caribbean Baking Awards is also thrilled to collaborate with the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB), which shares the vision of elevating the Caribbean’s culinary profile through prestigious events. BVITB’s involvement ensures that the event celebrates not only baking talent but also the vibrant hospitality and culture of the BVI, inviting visitors to experience the warmth and charm of the islands. Through this partnership, the Caribbean Baking Awards will further enhance the attendee experience, making the event an integral part the BVI’s growing culinary tourism.

Exciting Plans for the 2025 Event

Returning on February 21-22, 2025, the second annual Caribbean Baking Awards will be bigger and better, featuring 70 nominees from 18 Islands. New highlights include a Grudge Match featuring BVI local artists Brent Hoyte, Pascal the Artist, Boss, and Jougo. Bakers from 11 Islands, including Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Jamaica, and Barbados, will showcase their skills in the Ultimate Bake-Off under the theme “Rum Fun.”

Additional activities include an exciting Donut Eating Competition and a youth cupcake battle with young bakers from Y.EP. and M.A.L.E. These interactive events promise to make the Caribbean Baking Awards a fun-filled, community-driven celebration for attendees and participants alike.

Event Hosts and Entertainment

Hosting the 2025 Caribbean Baking Awards will be Ricky “Daphox” Bertie from Saint Martin for the main event, with Juliet “Julie Mango” Bodley from Jamaica as the host of the Masquerade Awards Gala Dinner. The evening will close with live music from Onyan and the Three Cylinder Band from Antigua and Barbuda, adding a lively Caribbean flair to the celebration.

Tickets are now available at caribbeanbakingawards.com. The first 50 people can secure a discounted ticket by using the promo code CBABVI50.

The Mission of the Caribbean Baking Awards

The Caribbean Baking Awards aims to bring together the region’s finest bakers and to inspire future culinary talent. Over the next five years, the Awards envisions a greater reach across the Islands, as well as the growth of its foundation to support young Caribbean culinary students with an annual scholarship. This mission to nurture the region’s culinary heritage is integral to the event’s continued growth and success.

The Caribbean Baking Awards has quickly become a celebration of the talent, culture, and creativity of Caribbean bakers. With each year, it strengthens as a pillar of pride and opportunity for bakers and food enthusiasts across the region.

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