Final-year Culinary and Tourism Studies students from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) put their skills on full display last Friday, hosting a heritage exhibition and cook-off competition at the Hospitality and Maritime Training Institute (HMTI) in Diamond.
The event, held on April 24, 2026, was organized by Year Two students from the Division of Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE). The cook-off carried the theme “Cooks Today, Chefs Tomorrow”, while the accompanying exhibition was centered on “Acknowledging Our Past, Shaping Our Future”.
The programme opened with formal presentations from Tourism Studies students and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, before attendees were treated to an assortment of local food, snacks, juices, and cocktails prepared by Bar Operations students.
The exhibition featured a cultural booth, student-prepared herbal teas, demonstrations of traditional Vincentian games, and an interactive showcase of indigenous materials. Fire breathers and student recreations of classic Carnival characters — including “Monkey Band” masqueraders — added a festive dimension to the afternoon.
Running alongside the exhibition, the cook-off saw three student teams compete across three rounds, producing an appetizer, entrée, and dessert — each incorporating mystery ingredients. A panel of industry judges evaluated the dishes and provided feedback to the competing teams, who were praised for their creativity, innovation, and execution under pressure.
SVGCC used the occasion to recognize the contribution of its lecturers and expressed appreciation to industry partners and sponsors for their ongoing support of the programme.