First See n Taste Belize Festival in Miami a Success

Prominent Belizean chefs from around the country convened in Miami, Florida, USA, to participate in the first annual See N Taste Belize Festival that was organized by the Consulate of Belize in Florida as a fundraiser, held on October 10, 2015.

Chefs from Sean Kuylen and Carolee Chanona from Belize City, Jennie Staines and Sherlette Belisle from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Rob Pronk from Hopkins, Stann Creek and even Yolanda Castillo from Chicago’s Garifuna Flava Restaurant took Belizean cuisine to South Florida to new heights, as they impressed the participants with their food and presentations.

The Consulate of Belize indicated that hundreds of guests (Belizeans and non-Belizeans) joined in support of the event, enjoyed and celebrated everything that is wonderful, beautiful, positive and delicious about Belize.

Also participating and contributing to the event were artists Walter Castillo, Pamela Braun, Inga Woods and Marvin Meza who showcased Belize’s unique and colorful art and Omolewa Osain (Belize’s premier jazz band) and Miami’s local Belizean DJ Reri Zaldivar provided live music. The San Ignacio Hotel, Belize Tees, Flavors of Belize, BELTRAIDE and OCEANA all provided art and food booth at the event.

Belizean resident of Miami Teresa M Fegan told Ambergris Today that she had an amazing time at the festival and was happy to have met up with Chef Jennie Staines of Elvi’s Kitchen.

“The event was packed!” stated Teresa. “The music by Carlos Perrote (Omelewa Osain) from Belize was amazing; the panades and conch fritters from Garifuna Flava from Chicago “YUM”! Chef Jennie’s Rice and Beans, plantain and meat balls with potato salad on the side with her sauce – OMG surprisingly outstanding!!! It was the hot topic of the foodies’ discussions. Chef Sean’s serre loaded with whole habanero in coconut milk – Hot, Hot, Good. The arts, jewelry and crafts from Belize were well displayed and well attended. The rum punch from Travellers Rum kicked it up another notch and the First Lady was quite accommodating with all guests; she mingled and took selfies galore. Great presentation and representation by BTB and BELTRAIDE.”

The Consulate of Belize, along with the Special Envoy for Women and Children, spearheaded by Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, hosted the first See N Taste Belize, in partnership with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), BELTRAIDE, Flavors of Belize and Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism. The event helped raise funds for the first dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Belize. (Click here to Read more)

“Congratulations to Janine Sylvester Vega (Hon. Consul General of Belize in Florida) and her wonderful team at the BELIZE Consulate on their hugely successful event,” commented Laura Adelaide Tucker-Longsworth on the Consulate’s Facebook Page. “It was thrilling to know that Belizean talent was showcased to Belizeans in the US. This is unusual to have Belizeans living abroad see and experience the talent, artistry, and enjoy cuisine prepared by world-class Belizean chefs.”