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Over 4.000 visitors at Flavors of Curaçao

Willemstad, September 30th – After several months of immense dedication and preparation, the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) successfully organized the island’s largest culinary festival, Flavors of Curaçao on the 29th of September.  During the event, CHATA also announced the winner and runner-up of the Bartender Competition for the Curaçao Culinary Team 2019.

CHATA looks back on a well-attended event at the Hilton Parking lot. This edition of Flavors of Curaçao attracted more than 4.000 visitors who enjoyed creative and mouthwatering culinary delicacies. CHATA is happy to have received praise from participating restaurants and attendees of the event.

Saturday, the Hilton parking lot was converted into, a village where Curaçao’s largest open-air Culinary Festival, was hosted. Attendees had the opportunity to savor delicacies from more than 27 culinary participants.

 Live Cooking Demo
A new addition to the Flavors event this year was the Live Cooking Demo.  Guests had the opportunity to enjoy a 3-course menu prepared by international chefs in an intimate setting. The chef line up included Justin Niessen, a local professional who has recently opened its restaurant in Rotterdam. John Moeller, former Chef of the White House who has served 2 presidential families. Antonio Albertsz, a chef from Aruba who is currently working for the Disney World Magic Kingdom. Matthijs Mulder a renowned chef from Michelin Star restaurant “de Bloemenbeek” from the Netherlands. And last but not least Chef Fernando Desa, executive chef from Goya products.

Bartender Competition Culinary Team
During the Flavors Event, CHATA also hosted the finale of the Curaçao Culinary Team Bartender competition, to elect the new bartender who will form part of the Curaçao Culinary Team. The winner will represent Curaçao abroad at the annual Taste of the Caribbean Competitions taking place in Miami.  In the week leading up to the event, the bartenders participated in 3 competitions, namely the Vodka, Rum and Non-Alcoholic Competition. During the flavors event, the bartenders had to showcase their creativity and ability to interact with a large crowd by making a cocktail on the spot without prior knowledge of the ingredients. The bartenders were judged by a panel of international and local bartenders namely, Rakesh Madoo (Head Bartender Judge of Taste of the Caribbean), Marv Cunningham (2-time bartender of the year of the Taste of the Caribbean), Fenton Thomasita (Curaçao Bartender Association). The winner of the Curaçao Culinary Team Bartender competition is Jurnick Merced.  While Brenton Balentien takes home the title of runner-up in the competition.

Flavors of Curaçao is a fundraising event, allowing CHATA to fund language courses, culinary educational programs and awareness campaigns. CHATA is extremely pleased with Flavors of Curaçao’s success and is highly appreciative of all support given by the Flavors of Curaçao sponsors, and the participating restaurants that had to deliver on the promise of serving delicious food.  Sponsors and media partners for this event include Guardian Group, Curaçao Airport Holding, Curaçao Tourist Board, Sunrise Airways, Curaçao Airport Partners, Curaçao Ports Authority, CINEX, Chamber of Commerce, Orco Bank, Licores Maduro, Dewar’s True Scotch, San Benedetto,  La Marca Prosecco, Bacardí, Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino, Beuk Horeca, KLM, Hilton, Deli Nova, TUI, Jingle Planet, Coca-Cola, Avis, Villa Exclusivo, Intelligent Woodwork Design, City Center Namendes, Critical Communication Caribbean, Hertz, Margil Party Rental, The Suite, Hi Printing, Spin Internet Media, Tovari, Massive Productions, TUNA Creative Agency, Aqualectra,  Mangusa Hypermarket, Savannah Car Rental, Professional Pest Control, Staff Browser, De Kannen en Kruiken, Radio Direct, Dolfijn FM, TCFM, Radio Active, TeleCuraçao TV Direct, Rumbera Network, Mas 99, Vigilante, 88 Rock Korsou.

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