Willemstad, Saturday 23rd 2017- On Saturday, CHATA announced the new chefs of the Curaçao Culinary Team 2018. The winners will represent Curaçao internationally at the Taste of the Caribbean competitions in Miami next year.
Every year, CHATA holds a Culinary Competition for local chefs and bartenders in order to select the new members of the Curaçao Culinary Team. The Curaçao Culinary Team consists of 4 chefs, 1 pastry chef and 1 bartender. During the course of that year the members of the team will receive regular trainings and coaching sessions by local and international culinary professionals in order to prepare them for the Culinary Competitions in Miami.
Last Saturday 12 Chefs competed for the honors of becoming part of the new Culinary Team. The winners were selected by a group of elite judges consisting of international celebrity chef Hans van Triest, winner of Caribbean Chef of the year 2006, Frans Smits (Capriles Kliniek), Jeroen van der Velden (Gouverneur), Carlos Anthonij (Nemo), Helmie Smeulders (Spice Girl), Mike Pastoor (Avila Beach Hotel) and Toon Kennis (Maris Stella). The proud sponsors of the culinary cooking competition are: Best Buy, Dani’s Fruit Center, Delinova, De Jongh Trophies, Firgos, Mangusa, Marnix College Cas Cora, the Papagayo Hotel, TUI and Twizt Catering
The new chefs of the Curaçao Culinary Team 2018 consist of the following participants:
| Name | Type of Chef | Property |
| Jereld Balentien | Senior Chef | Nemo Restaurant |
| Jevgeny Hasselmeyer | Assistant Chef | Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino |
| Sjagnon Winklaar | Pastry Chef | Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino |
| Brayan Arroyo | Junior Chef | Hilton Hotel Curaçao |
| Jonathan Pietersz | Junior Chef Runner Up | Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino |
CHATA also wants to congratulate the following participants for signing up and showcasing their talents at the competitions:
| Name | Type of Chef | Property |
| Anthony Espoza | Chef | Hilton Hotel Curaçao |
| Adriyel Lourens | Chef | Baoase Luxury Hotel |
| Gerel Philips | Chef | Zest Mediterean Restaurant |
| Iveron Ocalia | Pastry Chef | Kunuku Aqua Resort |
| Brian Eliza | Pastry Chef | Pamela Bar Restaurant |
| Brandon Colina | Chef | Chez Ray |
| Norviendy Waterfort | Chef | Scuba Lodge / Twizt |
On Tuesday September 26th the second part of the Culinary Competitions will take place where bartenders will compete to secure a spot on the Curaçao Culinary Team 2018. The competition will take place at Licores Maduro, the Store. For more information and updates about the competition please visit www.facebook.com/CHATACuracao