St Joseph’s Academy has transformed success in the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Competition into a lasting investment in the future of its students with the purchase of two commercial convection ovens for the school’s Home Economics Department.
The ovens were purchased using a combined EC$12,500 in prize money earned through the school’s outstanding performances in the competition over two consecutive years.
In 2023, St Joseph’s Academy’s representative, Azarie Crump, captured the coveted title of Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Champion, earning the school’s first-place cash prize of EC$10,000, generously sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB), the competition’s official sponsor.
Building on that success, the school returned to the competition in 2024, where student Calbert Francis III delivered another impressive performance, placing fourth and securing an additional EC$2,500 in prize money.
The school invested its EC$12,500 in prize money in two commercial convection ovens for its Food and Nutrition Department, creating a lasting benefit for current and future students. The new equipment will enhance practical culinary training by providing access to industry-standard tools and preparing students for careers in the hospitality industry.
Highlighting the impact the new equipment will have on classroom learning, Chanda Joseph, Food and Nutrition Teacher at St Joseph’s Academy, said:
“These new commercial convection ovens will completely shift how I teach food and nutrition to my boys. Instead of just following recipes, we’re now exploring the science behind why food cooks the way it does, experimenting with temperatures, timing, and techniques that bring out the best in every dish. For competitions, the even heat and faster cooking mean we can run full practice menus in record time, build the speed and consistency that judges look for. But more than that, these ovens are giving my students real, hands-on experience with the kind of equipment they’ll find in professional kitchens, whether they go on to become chefs, caterers, or just confident home cooks.”
The investment reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young culinary talent while ensuring future students benefit from the opportunities created through the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Initiative.
Speaking on ECAB’s support for youth development through the initiative, Michele Marshall, Marketing Manager at Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB), said:
“At ECAB, we are committed to investing in the development of our youth and supporting initiatives that help them discover and nurture their talents. We are pleased that our sponsorship of the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Competition has contributed to enhancing the learning environment at St. Joseph’s Academy. The culinary arts offer a valuable pathway for creativity, discipline, and career growth, and we are delighted that this investment will help students further develop their skills while inspiring the next generation of culinary professionals.”
Building on the success of the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Competition, the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) recently launched the 2026 Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy, marking an exciting new chapter in the programme. The Academy provides 15 high school students from across Antigua and Barbuda with hands-on industry experience, professional development, and mentorship from experienced chefs representing the country’s hotels and restaurants through a six-week internship.
The Academy runs from July 13th to August 21st 2026, followed by the Cook-Off Competition from August 25th to 28th and the Closing and Awards Ceremony on September 3rd 2026. One outstanding participant will be named the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef 2026 and will represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Junior Lit’l Chefs Program in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2027, in partnership with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.
