Stomachs growl as foodies watch national chefs compete in a cook-off to be chef of the year at the 22nd Annual Culinary Awards of Excellence Competition & Trade Show on October 23rd and 24^th at the Ritz-Carlton Cayman Islands Royal Ballroom.

The events are as follows:

October 23^rd, 2012

Ritz Carlton Cayman Islands Royal Ballroom

11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Culinary Competition of Excellence Judging
Chefs present dishes primarily based on Caribbean foods

October 24th, 2012

Ritz Carlton Cayman Islands Royal Ballroom

9:00 am – Trade Show Opens

Vendors exhibit and sample food from the Food Service, Restaurant and Culinary Society.

This is a showcase of Caymans finest suppliers from this industry.

9:00 am – Live Cook Off begins

Winners of the previous days competition are given a mystery basket of ingredients.

The cook off starts at 9:00 a.m. with a staggered start.

(Chefs are allowed One hour to view the contents of their mystery basket.)

2:30 p.m. – Bartenders Competition

Bartenders Island wide enter to showcase their finest talents.

3:00 p.m. – Live Ice Carving Competition

Competitors will have 1 hour to carve centre pieces from a single block of ice.

5:00 p.m. – Winners Announced

6:00 p.m. – Trade Show Closes

For the latest news and registration forms go to the Cayman Culinary website: http://www.caymanculinarysociety.com/

Formed in 1989, The Cayman Culinary Society (CCS) is an organisation of professional Chefs and Food & Beverage personnel whose aim is to promote the Cayman Islands Food & Beverage Industry. CCS hosts an annual culinary competition each summer. The three day event is open to the public and includes a live cook-off to identify the chef of the year. There is also an ice carving and bartenders competition, as well as a large trade show. In 2010, the Society introduced a gala dinner on the final evening. This gala showcased the winners of the event and attendees enjoyed tastes of their winning dishes as well as other items cooked table side. The Society selects its Cayman Islands National Culinary Team from this event, which competes annually in the Caribbean Championships. The association boasts 15 years participation in this event and has earned a medal every year. The Cayman Culinary Society hosts several fund raising dinners each year as well as organising training seminars for local chefs and sending member chefs overseas to perform at trade shows and media events. The society is also active in the field of education, through lectures and demonstrations at local schools and at the University College of the Cayman Islands.