Sejah Farm: VI Bush Cook Chef Cook 3-Day Event

Oct 20, 2022 | Community Events

Since 2016, Dale and Yvette Browne of Sejah Farm VI have organized a local food competition on St. Croix that focuses on bringing community awareness on local food availability in the territory. Bush Cook Chef Cook is where the island’s best and brightest chefs use their ingenuity to prepare unique dishes using locally grown crops and produce available to them. As an island with a 95% import rate, the ability to own, control and consume our food is how we ensure food sovereignty and security in the U.S Virgin Islands.

At 10am on Friday, October 21st, the three-day event kicks off with a free event featuring a host of family-friendly activities. Cooking workshops, elementary school cook-off, live music, farm tours and school supplies giveaway are a few of the activities to expect on Day 1. This day will also highlight ways to bridge the locally grown food gap between local farms and government assisted programs like SNAP & WIC. “We want the local food system to impact everyone,” said Yvette. “Oftentimes, families in these programs are unable to afford the best of the produce and crops available in the stores where they typically shop, and we want to change that for them.”

The main event takes place on Day 2. This all-day cooking challenge is where trained chefs and home cooks compete by preparing dishes using only locally grown ingredients and traditional cooking methods such as the coal pot, three stone setting or the pit oven. The cooking starts from 7am with food samples available from 1pm for attendees. Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for children 6-12 years old and those under the age of 6 are free. Live music will be provided by DJs alongside the popular Cool Sessions Brass plus enjoy a spirited performance from Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies. For the final day, attendees will experience an expertly prepared farm-totable dinner complete with five courses. The most formal event of the weekend, this dinner will be a collaboration prepared by the Bush Cook Chef Cook participants. Attendees are welcome to bring their own bottles of wine, spirits and beer to enhance their farm-totable dinner experience. Two dinner times available – 5pm and 8pm. Advanced reservations are required due to limited seat availability. Tickets are $70 for adults and $30 for children.

Bush Cook Chef Cook takes place from Friday, October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd at Sejah Farm located at 9B Estate Castle Burke in Frederiksted. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite or at Sejah Farm. For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sejahfarmvi.

Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty

#farm #cookoff #cooking #culinaryarts #chefs #localfoods #stcroix #virginislands #foodie

AgriFest Food Fair Returns in 2022

May 18, 2022 | Community Events

2022 marks the long-awaited return of St. Croix’s ever popular Agriculture and Food Fair, also known as Agrifest. Since 1971, this three-day agricultural festival has attracted attendees from all over the world to the island to taste, touch and feel everything rooted in agriculture from locally grown fruits and vegetables to livestock, arts and crafts and local cuisine. From May 28th to May 30th, attendees will flock to the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex in Estate Lower Love to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this cultural exposition that shines a light on this cherished source of livelihood on St. Croix – agriculture.

Historically, AgriFest is held each year in February over President’s Day weekend. Due to the ongoing uncertainties courtesy of the global pandemic, the event was postponed to May 2022 over Memorial Day weekend.

A few highlights experienced at St. Croix’s AgriFest is centered around the four F’s: food, fun, family and friends. Once you enter through the gates at the fairgrounds, the limitless sights and smells of St. Croix warmly greet you. The main exhibition hall on the west side of the fairgrounds is where the farmers market is held. There, attendees will encounter an assortment of fruits, vegetables, spices, and a variety of plants on display and for sale. Several exhibits sponsored by local schools, youth groups, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Agriculture can also be found on display.

There are lots of fun activities on hand for Agrifestgoers. Stop in at the livestock exhibits featuring animals such as goats, chickens, rabbits and peacocks. Visit the petting zoo, ride a donkey or hop on one of the carnival rides with the little ones for an extra dose of fun. Enjoy the melodic tunes from local musicians performing throughout the day and visit several informational booths throughout the fairgrounds where attendees can learn about a variety of agriculture-focused topics.

“This is a true Virgin Islands reunion,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture Commissioner Positive T.A. Nelson. “This is where you see it all – our traditions, our food, and our people.” Get your fill of local delicacies like kalalloo, red peas soup, roast pork and salmon balls and wash it down with a tall glass of sorrel, limeade, ginger beer, peanut punch or passion fruit juice. Come out and celebrate the 50th annual VI Agrifest from May 28th to May 30th. Admission is $6 Adults, $5 Seniors, $4 Kids 12 and under. Passes for all three days are available for $12 Adults, $10 Seniors, $8 Kids 12 and under.

Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty

Photo from https://viagrifest.org/

#foodfair #stcroix #stcroixusvi #caribbean #agrifest #agrifest2022 #community #food #virginislands #agriculture

Orchid Show & Sale: A Crucian Orchid Jubilee!

Feb 25, 2022 | Community Events

Mark your calendar! The St Croix Orchid Society is having their 50th Annual Orchid Show & Sale from March 25 through 27. The event was previously postponed and we are excited to see it coming back in late March. Christie has been growing orchids (photo above) in our home and she is really looking forward to this event. We went in 2020 and enjoyed it very much, which you can see our video below.

The Orchid Show and Sale will be held at the St. George Botanical Garden in the Great Hall. There will be hundreds of orchids on display, raffles, and orchids for sale. If you would like to join the Orchid Society’s Facebook Group, click here and request to join the private group. For their public page, click here.

#orchids #stcroixorchidsociety #americanorchidsociety #nature #flowers #caribbean #orchidsale #growers

Beauty and the Beast Triathlon 2021

Nov 16, 2021 | Community Events

The race is on in America’s Paradise! St. Croix is home to one of the longest-running triathlons on record. Since 1988, St. Croix’s previous races such as “America’s Paradise Triathlon” and “IRONMAN 70.3® St. Croix” have been considered must-do events for triathletes worldwide. On November 28, 2021, athletes from around the world will descend onto the stunning shores of St. Croix to compete in the 2021 Beauty & the Beast Triathlon.

This year’s triathlon is led by USAT Certified race directors Scott Fricks and Theresa Harper. The race has partnered with the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation, a local nonprofit organization committed to improving the triathlon training and racing experience in the Virgin Islands while giving back to the community. Each year, the committee designates local charities that will receive donations from the race proceeds.

The event name is the perfect description of the triathlon course. The “Beauty” can be seen in two parts – the swim in warm, pristine ocean waters and a scenic run route. On the other hand, the “Beast” is in the climb on the bike route. While the rolling picturesque ride rewards triathletes with breathtaking ocean views, a 0.7-mile ascent at 26 percent grade is its own monster for a host of different reasons.

At 6:45am, athletes line up at the start of the course in the heart of historic downtown Christiansted. A spirited swim in the harbor transitions to a demanding bike ride and culminates with the run that travels east from Christiansted. Residents, volunteers and visitors are always on hand along the course to cheer on competing athletes, providing them with water, snacks and other items to keep them fueled throughout the race. Due to the pandemic and construction at the prior location, this year’s course will experience a slight change. The race will begin at Cramer Park on St Croix’s East End and the course will primarily stay on the East End of the island. While the world-famous Beast will be missing from this year’s bike, the infamous hills of St Croix’s East End will still offer a “beast” of a challenge to participants.

There are three race events athletes can choose from: Olympic-Distance Triathlon, Sprint-Distance Triathlon and a Sprint-Distance Aquathlon with relays offered in the Olympic and Sprint Triathlon races. For more information about this year’s race, visit www.stxtriathlon.com.

Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty

#stcroix #USVI #Caribbean #triathlon #athlete #swim #bike #run #paradisetriathlon #sport

2021 Crucian Coconut Festival

Nov 16, 2021 | Community Events

Coconut lovers rejoice! The annual Crucian Coconut Festival is back from its pandemic hiatus to resume its mission to reignite St. Croix’s economy with the help of coconuts. Since its inception in 2015 by St. Croix Farmers in Action, the cultural display of this cherished Caribbean fruit has been a fun-filled family event complete with educational presentations, cooking demos, activities, games and live local music. Coconuts are one of the few fruits that create a wide assortment of byproducts that are used and enjoyed by people worldwide.

Ms. Yvette Ross, Director for Coconut Festival Committee, shared her excitement of the return of Crucian Coconut Festival. “It’s such a relief to know that we will be able to host Crucian Coconut Festival in 2021,” said Ross. “This year, we are expanding the live entertainment and introducing a fine art exhibit on the days leading up to the festival.” The art exhibit will feature artists from across the Virgin Islands, including woodworkers, painters and steel sculpture artists displaying their works.

This year’s festival will look a bit different due to challenges of COVID-19. For example, a crowd favorite of the festival is the coconut jelly scooping contest. Historically, participants stood shoulder to shoulder racing the clock to determine who could scoop out jelly from coconut husks the fastest. This year will still be based on speed, but participants will be timed individually. Whoever has the fastest time among all the participants will be declared the winner.

Several vendors will be in attendance selling coconut inspired crafts, local foods and treats. The on-site greenhouse will host aquaponic tours that show how produce is grown using this fish powered food production system. There will also be a host of interactive educational presentations about the coconut as well as a family activity center where craft baskets and bags filled with coconut learning activities are given to families to take home. Ross shared her hope for this year’s attendees of the Crucian Coconut Festival. “I want everyone to leave the festival with a greater appreciation for the coconut.” She expressed that the coconut is more than an economical tool; “it can improve your health and offer entrepreneurial opportunities.”

The Crucian Coconut Festival will take place on Sunday, December 5th from 11am to 6pm at Estate Bethlehem Sugar Factory; $10 entry fee for all attendees. The art exhibit, also taking place at Estate Bethlehem Sugar Factory, opens to the public on Friday, December 3rd. From 4pm to 9pm, enjoy live music from the Eddie Russell Band; $25 entry fee for the opening night. The exhibit will also be open on Saturday, December 4th from 10am to 3pm. Vaccination or proof of negative test within 3 days is required to attend all events. For more information, call 340.690.1389.

Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty

#stcroix #USVI #Caribbean #coconut #coconutfestival #celebration #festival #food #foodies