An assortment of triumphant cooks went home with prizes at the end of the University of the Virgin Islands Afternoon on the Green (AOTG) festivities held Sunday, March 19, on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on the St. Thomas Campus. Awards were presented to some 50 volunteers who prepared meals to serve to community members. The event is UVI’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds going to the Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship Fund.
“AOTG’s judging template has been uniquely designed to demonstrate remarkable local culinary excellence,” said Kyza Callwood, MPA, CEA, co-chair of the Afternoon on the Green Committee. “With the aim of showcasing and identifying high quality dishes along with tasty, innovative drinks, AOTG’s food and drink competition continues to promote the best of the best among local cooks.”
Attendees voted via paper ballot and a special text number set up by event sponsor, AT&T. Judges determined first, second and third place winners in a variety of categories from main dishes to seafood entrees, desserts, soups, and native drinks.
Elbert A. Petersen received first prize in the overall award category for texting and ballot as well as top texting for his Grilled Chicken in Island Spice Barbeque Sauce. Petersen won a trip for two to St. Croix from 104.3 The Buzz, round trip tickets to the British Virgin Islands on Smith Ferry, and a galaxy tablet from AT&T.
Second prize in the “Overall People’s Choice” category went to Willie’s Caribbean Escape for Goat Water. Willie’s Caribbean Escape also won third prize for Peas Soup with Turkey Neck.
First place winners in all categories received a beach chair, second place winners received a lunch cooler and third place winners received a towel, all in green with the Afternoon on the Green logo.
Two Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship awards were presented, one to Charlotte Amalie High School senior, Dystanie Smalls, and the other to Kirsha Jeffers, a junior majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management at UVI.