Celebrity Chefs Hit St. Croix at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort for Food Fest

Celebrity Chefs Hit St. Croix at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort for Food Fest

Published 03/10/2011

St. Croix's Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort will host close to 1,000 culinary enthusiasts and some rock stars of the kitchen for A Taste of St. Croix, the island’s most anticipated and delectable affair. This annual tasting and culinary competition showcases the island’s diverse cuisine, and will be held on Thursday, April 14 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.  The open-air event is part of the multi-day St. Croix Wine & Food Experience (April 10-16) and will be held under the stars on Divi Carina Bay’s white sand beachfront. 

More than 55 restaurants will be participating as they hope to snag “Best of” awards in a range of categories including Best Local Fare, Best Presentation and Best Vegetarian dish, highlighting St. Croix’s mammoth restaurant scene. Wine makers from around the world will also be on hand to give attendees a sampling of their wines.

Divi Carina Bay will be offering a tempting travel package for those who not only want to take part in the Wine & Food Experience, but also to take in the island’s warm Caribbean breezes and lush atmosphere. The Divi Taste of St. Croix travel package includes two tickets to the event and after party, which typically sell out within minutes, along with a three-night, all-inclusive stay with beachfront accommodations. The price is $1,410 per couple for three nights with additional nights available at $470 per night. The package is valid for travel April 12-17.

Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort hugs the white sand of the island’s south side, nestled in a mountain-rimmed turquoise bay. 195 modern guestrooms come with stunning views, dining at four fabulous restaurants, live entertainment, St. Croix’s only casino, an on-site PADI five-star dive center, superior island hospitality and more.

Celebrated chefs and culinary personalities from Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco, New York City and Puerto Rico judging this year’s A Taste of St. Croix include:

Dannielle Kyrillos – Editor-at-Large of DailyCandy.com and judge on Bravo TV’s Top Chef: Just Desserts.

Kevin Rathbun – “Sultan of Steak”, award-winning chef, Food Network’s Iron Chef America winner (Bobby Flay) and owner of three acclaimed restaurants in Atlanta, Ga. (Rathbun's, Krog Bar, Kevin Rathbun Steak).

Tiffany Derry – Bravo TV’s Top Chef: DC competitor and former executive chef of Dallas , Texas hotspot Go Fish Ocean Club.

Ana Sortun – James Beard winner, Bravo TV’s Top Chef: Masters contender, cookbook author and owner of Oleana in Cambridge , Mass.

Anita Lo - Chef and owner of Annisa in New York City , named one of the most influential women in business and winner of Food Network’s Iron Chef America (Mario Batali).

Liza Shaw – Chef and owner of A16 in San Francisco and Tokyo and recognized as Restaurant Hospitality’s Rising Star (December 2009).

Robert Treviño – Food Network’s Iron Chef America contender and famous for his Nueva Latina cooking at his restaurant Budatai in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Michael Ferraro – Executive chef of New York City ’s macbar, a new restaurant dedicated to gourmet macaroni and cheese.  He is also a mainstay in the kitchen at the popular Delicatessen in Soho.