Willemstad, September 26 th 2017– On Tuesday, CHATA announced the new bartenders of the
Curaçao Culinary Team 2018. The bartenders together with the 5 winning chefs of the culinary
competition of last Saturday 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 2 bartenders. 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.
On Tuesday, 7 bartenders competed for the honors of becoming part of the new Culinary Team. The
winner was selected by a group of elite judges consisting of international judge Raakesh Madoo
(CHTA – Taste of the Caribbean Head Judge), Fenton Thomasita (Bartender Association) and Vanessa
Venturini (General Manager – Papagayo Beach Club). The proud sponsors of the bartender
competition are: Acoya Hotel Suites & Villas, Curaçao Tourist Board, Dani & Fruit Center, Dutch Treat, Firgos, Gidiana & Catering, Licores Maduro, The Jongs Trophies, Contemporaneous Events, and Point Snack.
During the competition the bartenders had to present 3 drinks, one using Rum (Bacardi Rum), Vodka
(Greygoose) and one Non Alcoholic drink. After this all finalists moved to the next round where they
had to prepare a drink out of a Mystery Basket. Based on the scoring of all the rounds the judges
announced the winner and runner up of the evening. The winner of the evening was Jurnick Merced
from Sprock Distilleries and the runner up was Girainey Muskus from Renaissance Curaçao Resort
& Casino. CHATA also wants to congratulate the following participants for signing up and showcasing their
talents at the bartender competitions:
Name Property:
Brairon Juliana – Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino
Luis Parra – Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino
Rileyson Frans – Avila Beach Hotel
Harol Ovieda Maceo – Hilton Hotel Curaçao
Ricardo Allen – Hilton Hotel Curaçao
The new Curaçao Culinary Team 2018 consists 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
Jurnick Merced – Bartender Sprock Distilleries
Girainey Muskus – Bartender Runner Up Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino
Carlos Anthonij – Team Manager Nemo Restaurant
The Curaçao Culinary Team 2018 is now ready to start preparing for the competitions of the Taste of
the Caribbean. For more information and updates about the journey of the Curaçao Culinary Team
2018 to the Taste of the Caribbean competition in June 2018 please visit www.facebook.com/CHATACuracao.