The Taste of Bermuda culinary teams returned home victorious from A Taste of the Caribbean.

In their first attempt in this major culinary competition, the chef's team, whose team manager was Josee Roy Froncioni, came away as silver medalists finishing fifth overall in a field of 20.

The junior team, which was coached and managed by chef Fred Ming, were gold medalists achieving the highest overall scores. Each junior team member also received just over a $1,000 scholarship to the New England Culinary Institute.

Pastry chef Kayte Gregory was singled out as the chef, out of over 150 participants, that best exemplified the spirit of the competition. Junior team member O'Shea Tucker was selected as the Caribbean representative to the Chaines de Rotisseurs world wide.

The competition that fielded 20 teams from throughout the Caribbean was held at the 500 acre El Conquistador Resort. "The level competition was extremely high and the work turned out under excruciating criteria was nothing less than amazing,'' committee chairman (Curious Cook) Edward Bottone said.

He added that each chefs team was required to turn out 400 signature hors d'oeuvres for the opening night ceremony at which master chef Paul Bocuse was guest of honour.

"Next, utilising a `mystery basket' of ingredients they had to devise a menu, recipes, a drawing of the finished plates and cook a three-course dinner for 60 fortunate diners in less than four hours. Chef's from the four highest scoring teams created signature dishes for the judges,'' Mr. Bottone said.

During the Battle of the Bartenders Bermuda's Irving Raynor put his three decades of experience to work and dazzled judges with his Rumbeda and Island Sunset cocktails. Chosen as a finalist, he created, from a mystery basket, a new drink called `Fruits Balls of Fire'.

Junior teams competed in knife skills and the closing evening hors d' oeuvres presentation. They were also required to assist chef teams from other islands.

The winning chef's team was Puerto Rico, pastry chef of the year was Marc Alvarez from Anguilla and bartender of the year was Lisette Reignier from Bonaire. Among many objectives achieved by Bermuda's participation are establishing a local annual culinary competition, forming teams for the Taste of The Caribbean Culinary Competition and to promote hospitality industry career paths offered at the Bermuda College.