‘BVI Restaurant Series’ connects with VIslanders in diaspora
Currently the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) is engaged in what it themed “BVI Restaurant Series” in targeted states of North America to increase the awareness about the destination, promote the Virgin Islands (VI) as a leading culinary destination and sell multi-night packages for the BVI Food Fete 2019.
On Wednesday last, June 26, 2019 the series made a stop in Miami, Florida at the Yumbrella Food Hall in the Sunset Mall. The host for this leg was Chef Adrianna Calvo, owner of Adrianna’s Vineyard and Wine Bar. On the spot cooking was done by chef’s Ariq Flax-Clarke and Chef Chloe St-Cyr of Scrub Island.
The night saw in excess of one hundred persons storming the venue in a quest to taste the VI, get more information about the destination via face to face contact with person’s living in the territory and those who previously visited, and interact with the BVITB team. There were also those who thought it fit to be present to promote the territory as Virgin Islanders living overseas.
‘I feel like I am at home’- Lani Frett
One such person was Ms Lani Frett, who admitted that experiencing her native land has been a missing link in her life which is now sparked by the event and as a result will be home for the first time after decades by the end of this year.
“I haven’t really had an opportunity to experience something like this. I haven’t been home in like forever. I know it’s my fault.”
Ms Frett said when she was made aware of the event by the BVITB she decided it was not an event she wanted to miss. “I said that I have to come, I have to even though I am not [part of the BVITB].”
“I am definitely coming back home, I miss it, I miss the culture, I miss the food, I miss the people, yes I am definitely going back home soon,” Ms Frett promised.
Another indigenous Virgin Islander, who gave his name only as Mr Smith, said “You always have to rep the BVI once you are from the BVI, no matter how long you have been gone.”
Meanwhile, Klenton Pickering, a native of the VI and owner of Groundworks BVI was present in Miami at the time and also lent his support to the BVITB initiative.
Mr Pickering said it was important to attend the event since his company partners with the BVITB in several initiatives, including the replanting certain trees around the territory following the hurricanes of 2017.
Mr Pickering said he and wife were also in the state to help celebrate and cheer on the National Culinary team which was in competition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami, Florida at the time.
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