John wins ECGC National Baking Competition

Janine John is this year’s winner of the ECGC National Baking Competition.{{more}}

John, of Camo’s Local Cuisine, also won in the Best in Cake category, with her entry Rum Punch Mango Cheesecake, and walked away with $2,000 for winning in that category. Additionally, she was awarded $3,000 for winning overall with her entry Rum Punch Mango Cheesecake.

The Best in Bread title was captured by Basil’s Bar’s Jaima King, with the entry: Pumpkin Coconut Coffee Muffin, while Best in Pastry was awarded to Ricardo Gordon of Rems Bakery, with his entry Damsel Pie. Best in Specialty Flour was awarded to Venesa Francis Lewis of Macaroni Beach House in Mustique, with her entry Pumpernickel Caramelized Onion Zucchini Bread.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the competition, which took place last Friday at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown, ECGC Marketing Manager Martin Laborde congratulated the participants. He, however, mentioned that in the baking industry in St Vincent and the Grenadines, there is an element of ‘sameness’.

Laborde stated that earlier that week, he was in a meeting with a large company that was in need of products, but when they visited the other bakeries, “everything seems to taste the same,” Laborde stated.

“We need to challenge ourselves in the art of fine baking,” Laborde stated.

Endorsing Laborde’s remarks, Colvin King from the Ministry of the Agriculture Industry, also conveyed Minister Saboto Caesar’s thanks to ECGC. He congratulated and thanked the several chefs who participated.

There were 20 participants in the competition: six from Mustique, eight from catering services, while others came from restaurants and bakeries. The participants also walked away with gift baskets, compliments ECGC.(OS)