Willemstad, Saturday 23 rd 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, Fuik Micro Greens 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 competition:
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.
