Dino Jagtiani wins inaugural S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup

In conjunction with the exclusive EFG Bank Owners Party event, S. Pellegrino hosted the inaugural S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup of the Caribbean competition. Established in Venice, Italy fifteen years ago, the S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup has become an international and unique event that welcomes sailors, chefs and fine-dining lovers from all over the world. The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta is a successful combination of some of the most appreciated and world-renowned values of the Italian lifestyle: the pleasure of togetherness, the art of fine food and passion for sailing.

Four famous chefs from four Caribbean islands had been invited by S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna – the fine dining waters – to experience the first S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup of the Caribbean: Rene Klop from Curacao, Elijah Jules from St. Lucia, Roderick Beazer from Antigua and Dino Jagtiani from St. Maarten

The winner of the inaugural S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup of the Caribbean, through the People’s Choice Award, was Dino Jagtiani from Temptation Restaurant in St. Maarten. Dino presented a delicious virgin olive oil pound cake with rosemary scented tempura apple, lemon crème “en pipette” garnished with vanilla panna cotta, and pistachio brittle.

“I would like to thank S. Pellegrino for this experience” said Dino Jagtiani. “I think the event was a success and I am happy and honoured to have won this competition. I hope to be invited back in the future!”

Elijah Jules from Jade Mountain in St. Lucia delighted guests with a St. Lucian green banana salad with grilled fish, citrus souscaille and Caribbean slaw.

Rene Klop from Baoase Luxury Resort in Curacao enchanted with a dish of tuna in sesame garnished with different island flavours including a tamarind puree.

Roderick Beazer of Curtain Bluff, Antigua prepared an exquisite pan seared red snapper, Antiguan pepper pot, banana ketchup, plantain crisp and tomato chips.

The S. Pellegrino Cooking Cup of the Caribbean came to an exciting end with Giorgia Concato, Sanpellegrino Business Development Manager for the Caribbean, presenting the chefs with prizes in appreciation of their dishes that offered a real mix of their own country’s cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. Yacht owners and VIP congratulated the chefs with a long and heartfelt applause. The event took place at the slick South Point Hotel and Restaurant overlooking the Antigua Yacht Club Marina.

On Friday April 17th, the chefs experienced a day of racing on KAIRÓS a glorious 2-mast 38 meter long schooner. Ideal Caribbean sailing conditions made the experience memorable. “We’ve been happy and honoured to have been able to provide the backdrop to S. Pellegrino for this event,” said regatta Chairman Julian Gildersleeve. “I think it has been a very positive experience for everyone involved. The party was definitely the talk of the dock and was very well received by all the yacht owners.”