Featuring the best of Belizean Cuisine

A dazzling display of Belizean culinary ingenuity and mixology will be the apogee of this year’s Taste of Belize, the BTB’s signature culinary competition, to be held this year on Saturday, July 21st at the Ramada Belize City Princess.

The event will feature Belize’s finest chefs and bartenders vying for trophies and cash prizes in four main categories, including Pastry Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year and the Master Chef of the Year.

Taste of Belize is organized by the BTB every two years with the aim to recognize and promote Belizean culinary creativity where chefs are able to entice a panel of judges with delicious cuisines. The last Taste of Belize was in 2016.

The winners of the various categories will represent Belize in next year’s Taste of the Caribbean, the region’s premier culinary competition, food & beverage educational exchange and Caribbean cultural showcase.

Speakers at the opening ceremony will include BTB’s Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans, among others.

Numerous chefs and bartenders from throughout Belize are expected to participate in this year’s event.

The BTB invites everyone to come out and cheer for your favorite contender and enjoy succulent and mouth-watering Belizean cuisine.

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Congratulations to the winner of the 2018 Taste of Belize competition, Eliza Carr of Hamanasi! 2nd place went to Mahogany Bay's Cesar Gomez and 3rd place went to Michael Acal of Chef Rob's Gourmet Cafe!

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Congratulations to the winners of the Pastry Chef and Junior Chef competition at the BTB Taste of Belize 2018!
Pastry Chef Winners: 1st Place: Einar Marin, 2nd Place: Tiffany Dawson and 3rd Place: Eliza Quetzal
Junior Chef Winners: 1st Place: Rojel Ian Lisbey, 2nd Place: Dolores Gillett and 3rd Place: Ernestina Acal!

Taste of Belize Master Chef/ Bartending Winners

Master Chef Competition - Desserts

Taste of Belize- Master Chef & Bartending Competition

BTB presents the winners of Taste of Belize 2018

An impressive display of Belizean culinary ingenuity and mixology took place over the weekend as part of this year’s Taste of Belize, the BTB’s signature culinary competition. The event was held on Saturday, July 21st at the Ramada Belize City Princess. The following are the results of the competition in the four main categories.

Master Chef of the Year 2018 Competition:

1. Eliza Carr – Hamanasi

2. Cesar Gomez – Mahogany Bay Resort & Spa

3. Michael Acal – Chef Rob’s Gourmet Café

Junior Chef of the Year 2018 Competition:

1. Rojel Ian Lisbey – Guava Limb Café

2. Dolores Gillett – Student at Cayo CET

3. Ernestina Acal – Student at Cayo CET

Pastry Chef of the year 2018 Competition:

1. Einar Marin – Independent Pastry Chef

2. Tiffany Dawson – Nelly’s Sweets

3. Elisa Quetzal – Elisa’s Cakes & Cupcakes

Bartender of the Year 2018 Competition:

1. Emir Sosa – Tony’s Inn & Beach Resort at Cielo Restaurant

2. Liberto Fermin Choc – Turneffe Island Resort

3. Armando Wade - Sandbar

Taste of Belize is organized by the BTB every two years with the aim to recognize and promote Belizean culinary creativity where chefs are able to entice a panel of judges with delicious cuisines. The last Taste of Belize was in 2016.

The winners of the various categories will represent Belize in next year’s Taste of the Caribbean, the region’s premier culinary competition, food & beverage educational exchange and Caribbean cultural showcase.

Speakers at the opening ceremony included BTB’s Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans.

Approximately 20 Master chefs, 5 Junior Chefs, 4 Pastry Chefs and 6 Bartenders from throughout Belize participated in this year’s event. The Master Chef received the signature BTB Taste of Belize Award. All winners received numerous cash prizes. In addition, the first place winner of Junior Chef of the Year won a scholarship worth $10,000 at a culinary school of his choice.

BTB Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans, addressing the gathering at the opening of Taste of Belize 2018.

MASTER CHEF OF 2018 THE YEAR COMPETITION

From left to right: Eliza Carr, first place winner, Cesar Gomez, second place winner and Michael Acal, third place winner.

JUNIOR CHEF OF THE YEAR 2018 COMPETITION

From left to right: Rojel Ian Lisbey, first place winner, Dolores Gillett, second place winner and Ernestina Acal, third place winner.

PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR 2018 COMPETITION

From left to right: Einar Marin, first place winner, Tiffany Dawson, second place winner and Eliza Quetzal, third place winner.

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2018 COMPETITION

From left to right: Emir Sosa, first place winner, Liberto Fermin Choc, second place winner and Armando Wade, third place winner.