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ST CROIX — In its seventh year, Bush Cook Chef Cook returnED to promote local food sovereignty and security in the U.S. Virgin Islands! Spearheaded by Dale and Yvette Browne of Sejah Farm VI, this local food competition is where the island’s best and brightest chefs use their creativity to prepare dishes using locally grown crops and produce available to them. With an import rate of over 95%, Dale stresses the importance of working towards getting number as close to zero as possible. “To ensure food sovereignty and security in the U.S Virgin Islands, we must learn how to own, control and consume our food as a community.” This year’s event is particularly important as several leading universities and agricultural agencies will participate, offering attendees a unique opportunity to learn, network, and gain insights into new farming techniques and sustainable practices.

This remarkable three-day gathering of farmers, chefs, universities and agricultural agencies kicked off with a free community event on Friday, October 18th at 9am. Family-friendly activities, food and cooking demos, elementary school cookoff, live music and school supplies giveaway are some of the fun that anchors Day 1. Viya, one of the event’s title sponsors, had an information tent complete with demos and giveaways for everyone to enjoy. Day 1 also focused on sharing a myriad of ways to bridge the locally grown food gap between government assisted nutrition programs and local farms. Day 2 – the main event – was the all-day cooking challenge where local restaurant owners, trained chefs and home cooks compete using only Virgin Islands locally grown ingredients and traditional cooking methods such as the coal pot, three stone setting or the pit oven. Cooking started at 7am and food samples are served from 1pm for attendees. Tickets were $75 for adults and $25 for children 6-12 years old; those ages 5 and under were free to attend with an adult.

This year’s Bush Cook Chef Cook culminates with a six-course farm-to-table dinner and coordinating cocktails prepared collaboratively with participating chefs from the weekend festivities. Attendees are free to bring their own bottles of wine, spirits and beer to elevate their farm dinner experience. Cocktail hour started at 6pm with dinner seating from 7pm to 9pm. Advanced reservations were required due to limited seating availability. Tickets are $100 for adults; children 12 and under were $40.

Bush Cook Chef Cook took place from Friday, October 18th through Sunday, October 20th on the 15-acre grounds of Sejah Farm of the Virgin Islands located at 9P Estate Castle Burke in Frederiksted. For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sejahfarmvi.

Originally written by Anquanette Gaspard