PR National Culinary Team

2016 Puerto Rico National Culinary Team Members
Presented by the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association

National Culinary Team 2016
Ingrid Rodríguez, Escuela Hotelera de San Juan
Rafael Alamo, Hotel El Convento
Efraín Marquez, Escuela Hotelera de San Juan (Junior Chef)
Ronny Díaz, Caribe Hilton Hotel (Pastry Chef)

Bartender
Joafner Marrero
San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel

Coach
Elvin Rosado, Escuela Hotelera de San Juan

Thank you Team Sponsors:

In 1995, the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) created the Puerto Rico National Culinary Team for the following purposes

to enhance the local culinary profession
to give educational opportunities and recognition to our chefs
to benefit the tourism industry by having a culinary team represent Puerto Rico in international
competitions
to promote Puerto Rico as the premier gastronomic destination in the Caribbean

Culinary Team Achievements 2016

Puerto Rico Shines at Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competitions Puerto Rico’s culinary team won several awards at the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competitions recently held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami. The Puerto Rico team won 3 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals, 2 Bronze Medals, and one Honorable Mention.

During the event, the Team won Gold Medals for:

 Caribbean Culinary Team- All the members
 Caribbean Junior Chef- Jr. Chef Efrain Márquez from the San Juan School of Hospitality
 Individual Seafood Competition- Chef Rafael Alamo from the El Convento Hotel

Similarly, the silver medals were:

 Bartender of the Year Competition - Joafner Marrero from the San Juan Water Beach Club
 Certified Angus Beef Individual Competition - Chef Rafael Alamo from the El Convento Hotel

Bronze medals were won for:

 Chef of the Year- Ingrid Rodríguez from the San Juan School of Hospitality

Individual Cheesecake Competition and an Honorable Mention for Pastry Chef of the Year - Ronny Díaz from the Caribe Hilton Hotel

"We are proud to have such a great culinary team representing the extraordinary cuisine from Puerto Rico. This is definitely a great opportunity to showcase our Island within this niche. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company congratulates the team and appreciates their passion in raising high the name of Puerto Rico during this important culinary competition," indicated Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, executive director of the Tourism Company.

The Puerto Rico Culinary Team raises funds throughout the year to cover the costs of practice, travel, and presentations. Those interested in contributing their economic support can call 787-758-8001. Primary sponsors are the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), Delta Airlines, and Meet Puerto Rico.

Click Here - Puerto Rico National Culinary Team Achievements 1995-2014