CHTA Set to Give Consumers a "Taste of the Caribbean" From June 29-30

Consumers sampling Caribbean cuisine at Team Bahamas' 2013 Taste of the Islands Exhibit.

The flavors of the Caribbean will be on full display at the 2014 annual Taste of the Caribbean culinary event scheduled for June 29-30 at the Hyatt Regency, Miami, where consumers will have the opportunity to savor Caribbean creations at a competition lunch, dinner and two bartending events and learn about each of the participating countries at the Taste of the Islands festival.

Presented by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Taste of the Caribbean is an annual event that highlights the art of Caribbean cooking as it brings together top chefs and bartenders from the region to compete for honors in a variety of food and beverage competitions. This year there will be 10 competing teams from Anguilla, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Suriname and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Consumers can purchase tickets to the Taste of the Islands festival on Sunday, June 29, where they will experience the culture of the Caribbean through a variety of gourmet appetizers and desserts, taste signature cocktails, listen to authentic Caribbean music and gather information about the Caribbean. In addition to exhibits from each of the 10 competing countries there will also be a number of Caribbean restaurants and other providers of Caribbean food and beverages on display.

During Taste of the Islands, consumers can also vote in the "People's Choice" category to select their favorite culinary dish from participating teams. Consumers who vote in the "People's Choice" awards will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a variety of prizes.  The Taste of the Islands festival takes place from 5-8 p.m. and tickets are $40 per person.

On June 30, consumers are welcomed to attend the Bartender Non-alcoholic beverage competition from 9-11:30 a.m. and the Bartender Vodka beverage competition from 4:30-7 p.m. to watch as 10 Caribbean bartenders prepare, shake and stir their entries for judging.   

Attendees can also watch as teams go head to head in the International Caribbean Culinary Team Lunch Challenge. Taking place from 12-1:30 p.m., the lunch will include three-course meals paired with wines and prepared by teams from the Bahamas, Bonaire, St. Lucia, Suriname and reigning Caribbean Culinary Team of the Year - Barbados. Tickets for the competition lunch are $50 per person.

The consumer portion of the annual event will close with the Caribbean National Teams Culinary Competition Dinner featuring three-course meals paired with wines prepared by teams from Anguilla, Curacao, Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the 2012 Caribbean Culinary Team of the Year Puerto Rico. Tickets for the competition dinner, taking place from 7:30-9:30 p.m., are $50.00.

Consumers can purchase tickets for both the lunch and dinner competition events on Monday, June 30, for $80 per person. Another package option for consumers is purchasing tickets for the Competition Lunch, Competition Dinner and Taste of the Islands festival for $115 per person.

Visit www.chtatasteofthecaribbean.com.