BVI Winemakers BBQ at Oceans Seven Beach Club, Peter Island. Photo: Todd VanSickle

Virgin Islands News Online spoke with Ajit George, Founding Chairman of the BVI Charitable Fund, who stated from all indication that at the five venues, the dinners drew large crowds.

“Unfortunately I could not make it, but the feedback I got was very pleasing. All the dinners were sold out,” George stated.

He added that Allamanda Estate, Beef Island; Marika Breeze Villa on Tortola and Oceans Seven Beach Club were the three new locations which made this year’s event even more interesting.

According to Vanessa Richmond of Brisani’s At The Reef, which was the first venue for this year’s dinner, the dinner “was fabulous and heaps of fun”.

Likewise, Andres Bailey, Executive Chef of Giorgio’s Wine Restaurant in Virgin Gorda revealed that between 50 to 60 guests enjoyed the five course dinner at the cozy resturant.

“The food was good, so was the wine…I was able to taste everything since I was one of the chefs,” he added.

The total amount of monies from the dinners will not be known for a few weeks because there are still some outstanding monies to collect from diners, George stated. But he is optimistic from the turnout the $50,000 mark can be achieved.

He also thanked the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) for being the main sponsor for the event. “Without them it would not have been possible. They paid for the chefs and winemakers to come.”

The five award winning international winemakers who attended and personally poured their wines included Michael De Loach of Hook and Ladder Winery, Russian River Valley, California, USA; Gonzalo Lainez of Bodegas Roda, Rioja, Spain; Philippe Marchal of Maison Louis Jadot, Burgundy, France; Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Oregon, USA; and Regina Martinelli of Martinelli Winery, Russian River Valley, California, USA.

The wines, all of which werew personally selected by the above winemakers, were carefully paired with five course gourmet dinners prepared by superb chefs from throughout the world under the leadership of Executive Chef Mathayom Vacharat from St. John’s Catering.

The visiting chefs included Chef Stephen Stryjewski, this year’s James Beard Winner of the Best Chef South; Chef Jennifer Behm who won this year’s Fox TV MasterChef beating over 30,000 other contestants; Chef Roberto Trevino who has participated in the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and award winning Chef Julio Lazzarini.

A chef plating at Brisani’s At The Reef. Photo: Todd VanSickle