Please see this weekend's NewslineTCI e-Paper Edition for Exclusive Photo Highlights of the event
Seven Stars Resort copped the overall title at this year’s staging of the Salvation Army’s Chocolate Lovers Showcase staged at the Palms Resort in Providenciales on Saturday February 2, snaring the two categories up for grabs – Sweet and Savory.
The event, which is in its 14th year, saw many resorts and restaurants across Providenciales presenting their best chocolate-based creations, which were judged by the scores of patrons who attended the event. The winners were decided on a ‘People’s Choice’ basis.
An elated Damion Carter, Executive Chef at Seven Stars Resort, told NewslineTCI that the ‘Sweet’ presentation was a Chocolate Dome, with its recipe being chocolate as its main ingredient, comprised of, among other things Banana and a boost of Vanilla.
Carter explained that for the Savory they presented a Braised Oxtail Slider, pointing out that for the slider they used a Chocolate Brioche Burger Bun.
Carter pointed out that while they were happy that Seven Stars managed to score at the top of the patrons’ lists, based on their history of topping competitions, it was not an earth-shattering surprise that they took this year’s competition.
Pelican Bay Restaurant copped the second-place title in the Savory Category, while Como Parrot Cay, who lost to Seven Stars by a single point was second in the Sweet division.
For her part, Leslie Foss, Executive Member of the Salvation Army TCI Board said she was elated at the excitement that the event continues to generate. She said the chefs from all the resort again, blew their creation out of the park once again.
“I thought the chefs, every single year, just keep raising the bar. It is amazing,” Foss said, pointing out even though she believed that attendance number from last year had apparently dropped, the exciting was equally great.
“I thought our numbers were not as many as last year, but sometimes its appears that way because of how they set the space up better…I would not know until I actually crunch the numbers,” Foss said.
She was once again blown away with the attractive prizes they were up for grabs at the auctions. The auctions included a necklace by Messika and a bracelet by John Hardy and sponsored by Royal Jewels. The most sought-after auction piece was a Privé Yacht Charters Cruise.
“Two beautiful pieces from Royal Jewels. Whoever the purchasers were got good deals on them. The John Hardy piece was beautiful and the Messika was nice. Of course, Privé Yacht Charters is always fantastic in donating a prize for the event, and so, that seemed to be the ticket that mostly everyone wanted,” Foss continued.
She pointed out that the proceeds from the event will go towards the Salvation Army’s Schools Lunch Programme.
“The funds from this goes towards our Salvation Army Hot Lunch Feeding Programme that the Salvation Army run in the schools. Students in dire need (of good nutrition) are identified by the counsellors, and those are the kids we help. Obviously, the more money we raise the more kids we can help,” Foss Continued.
In the meantime, Foss told NewslineTCI that she was hopeful that at least $40,000 was raised from the event, pointing out when all the ticket sales and proceeds from the auctions are tabulated, the picture would then become clear. She said last year was the best Chocolate Lovers Showcase event so far, in terms of fundraising, pointing out that approximately $53,000 was raised then.