PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – After hosting two major global events last year and catering to the palates of dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, President Barack Obama, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown and Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, the team at Hyatt Regency Trinidad knows what it takes to achieve culinary excellence and continues to receive recognition.
In addition to bringing new flavors from around the world to guests each Wednesday, the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants & Tourism Association recently named Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s Abhay Nair Junior Chef of the Year.
The culinary competition took place over a three-week period and chefs from all restaurants and hotels on the island were invited to participate. After each preparing three dishes for the judges, the field of ten chefs in the junior category was narrowed to just four. In the final round, Nair was given a mystery basket from which he had to create a dish on the spot. His winning creation consisted of “Massala” roasted chicken in a honey and curry sauce, creamy “oil down”, cashew and chandon beni pesto, pak choi, eggplant and butternut squash choka salad with a citrus Angostura dressing. As Junior Chef of the Year at just 21 years old, Nair has been selected to be a member of the national culinary team that will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the International Culinary Competition on June 24 in Puerto Rico.
“We’re all very proud of Abhay for winning this important culinary competition,” said Executive Chef Fernando Franco. “We continuously strive to offer our guests interesting new dishes and with our promising young talent, we’re confident we will be able to keep raising the bar in terms of what we bring to the table.”
Guests can get a taste of Nair’s talent each Wednesday night at Waterfront, the hotel’s contemporary Caribbean restaurant, as they invite guests to take their palate on a different journey. On the first Wednesday of each month, Argentinean Chef Fernando Franco prepares some of his favorites for Argentina Night. The second Wednesday brings an exceptional feast of Indian cuisine with a buffet-style menu.
Guests can delight in mouth-watering Caribbean flavors on the third Wednesday, including dishes incorporating fresh local seafood, herbs and coconut. The fourth Wednesday of each month offers a taste of Asia with wok specialties, various Chinese sweets and salads.
