The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA) has announced the winners of the Culinary Competition for “Team Aruba,” held on September 26 at the Renaissance Convention Center. After an intense day of competition, judges selected the top talents in each category, with all participants receiving recognition awards from AHATA.
The honor of joining the Aruba Culinary Team went to:
- Senior Chef Winner: Aldwin Donata of Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
- Bartender Winner: Nelson Molina of Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba
Recognition was also given to the first runner-ups:
- Senior Chef: Adrian Florez Mercado of Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
- Bartender: Giovanni Tromp of Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
The competition featured 3 chefs and 7 bartenders representing different hotels and restaurants across the island. Their skills were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges: Chef Urvin Croes (owner of Infini Restaurant and Po-ké Ono), Chef Orlin Geerman (culinary instructor at EPB Oranjestad), and Chef Teddy Bouroncle (owner of Lima Bistro).
Mentor Chef Urvin Croes selected the key ingredients for the “mystery box” challenge, focusing on fresh, local products to highlight sustainability and creativity. For chefs, ingredients included Savaneta quail, green papaya, hibiscus flowers, baby cucumbers, and mushrooms from Fungi Aruba. For bartenders, the box featured Walishali moonshine by Frank “Taki” Kelly and hibiscus flowers.
Tisa LaSorte, AHATA President and CEO, praised the participants: “The level of talent we witnessed was outstanding. It was inspiring to see such creativity and professionalism. We are confident that the winners will represent Aruba with great pride abroad.”
The winners will now prepare to represent Aruba in the prestigious Taste of the Caribbean 2025 competition organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), taking place in Barbados this November. They will join a Pastry Chef and a Junior Chef to complete the full Aruba Culinary Team.
Photo Credits : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/chef-aldwin-donata-a-bira-ganador-y-ta-awor-den-aruba-culinary-team
