Virgin Islands (VI) students studying under the BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme participated in Hong Kong’s Winter Food Festival. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

Virgin Islands students represented not only the territory but the entire Caribbean region with the booth ‘Kepstar Trading’  themed, ‘A Taste of the Caribbean’. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

Scenes from Hong Kong’s Winter Food Festival in December 2025. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

The bi-annual festival took place from December 25 to 29, 2025, at the Hong Kong Exhibition Conference Centre. 

“[The] festival is a gastronomical event that brings together a diverse array of local and international cuisines, in which Chinese and International travelers sample delicacies and food brands from across the world,” a press release from the BVI Hong Kong Office explained. 

VI had C/bean’s only booth

VI students, Travis Thomas, Kimberly Cordez, Zyra Creque, and Shamorie Glasgow, represented not only the territory but the entire Caribbean region with the booth ‘Kepstar Trading’  themed,  ‘A Taste of the Caribbean’. 

The booth featured Caribbean favourites like jerk chicken, patties, pastelles, sorrel, and cocktail drinks sponsored by Caribbean brands Angostura and Blue Mountain Coffee. 

The booth featured Caribbean favourites like jerk chicken, patties, pastelles, sorrel, and cocktail drinks sponsored by Caribbean brands Angostura Rum and Blue Mountain Coffee. 

The release added that the students warmly welcomed visitors to the booth in a display of Caribbean hospitality. 

Students were cultural ambassadors 

Director of the BVI Hong Kong Office, Dr Ricardo L. Wheatley, showed his support of the students by attending the festival. 

“Having our students participate in rich cultural exchanges such as the Hong Kong Winter Food Festival allows them to be cultural ambassadors for not just the BVI, but the entire Caribbean region.”

Dr Wheatley said they want the students to be as culturally immersed as possible in the local events and culture while studying in Asia.