Category Archives: Caribbean

The Mahatmas practice of non-violence and opposition to indentureship are highly respected in Trinidad and Tobago

One of the suggestions that the Mayor of San Fernando, Junia Regrello, made when I visited him in 2020 was the renovation of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and its pedestal on the Harris promenade, named after Lord George Francis Robert Harris, one of the progressive Governors from 1846 to 1854. Those were the years of emancipation and the induction of Indian indentured labourers to Trinidad. His son George Robert Canning Harris, the fourth Lord Harris, was a leading English cricketer from 1870 to 1911.

The promenade is house also to the memorial pillar of Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; busts of Simon Bolivar and Rodney Wilkes, legendary Trinidadian weightlifter; and a statue of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a pan-African nationalist hero.

Later, I learned from the Gandhi Seva Sangh, the local organisation which has taken up the responsibility of the upkeep of the statue, that in February 1950, the Gandhi Statue Committee was formed in San Fernando to erect the figure. The committee had requested Professor Satya Narayan Shastri, the then Commissioner of India to the British West Indies and British Guyana based in Port of Spain, to approach the Government of India to source one.

According to The Indian Daily Mail report of July 30, 1951, sculptor Nagesh Yawalkara was commissioned to do a life-size bronze of Mahatma Gandhi. The entire cost of the statue and the transport charges had been contributed by the Indian community living in Trinidad and Tobago. The then Bombay Mayor, S.K. Patil, had approved the mould of the statue at Yawalkars studio on July 26, 1951. This was the first statue of the Mahatma in the Caribbean.

In prominence at Kew Place on Phillip Street at the Mahatma Gandhi square in Port of Spain is a second bronze of Mahatma Gandhi, which was installed in October 1988. This statue, sculpted by Balkishan Guru, was gifted by a noted jurist of Indian origin, Ramdeo Sampat Mehta. The sculptors father was born in Trinidad. Every year, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Mayor of Port of Spain joins the High Commissioner of India in garlanding this statue.

A third interesting abode of Gandhiji is in Gandhi village near the southern town of Debe. The village carries a unique indenture history. It was called Cooliewood in colonial Trinidad since most residents were indentured labourers from India. Most families were Hindus, and a few were Muslims. However, in 1958, Eric Williams, during a visit, renamed the village Gandhi village. Williams subsequently became the first Prime Minister of independent Trinidad and Tobago. In 2003, the villagers installed a bust of Gandhiji, donated by the Government of India.

Gandhiji is also present in the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) in the Diwali Nagar complex and the office compound of the Mayor of Chaguanas. Established in 1986, the NCIC is the principal organisation for developing and promoting Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Chaguanas is the largest and fastest-growing municipality in the country. In addition, two streets that bear Gandhijis name are the Gandhi Streets of Victoria county in San Fernando and Tunapuna in Caroni county.

The Indian culture centre in Trinidad and Tobago is named after Gandhiji. On October 2, 2020, on the culmination of his 150th birth centenary celebration, the Government of India unveiled a bust of Gandhiji at the newly constructed Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Cultural Cooperation in Mount Hope. The foundation stone of the complex, built on five acres of land, was laid by then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basudeo Pandey in 1999. Earlier, the Indian culture centre was operating out of a rented premise.

Trinbagonians love Gandhiji. They have a deep appreciation of Indias freedom struggle and democratic values and the Gandhian ideals of truth, non-violence and peace. Gandhijis non-violent method of work and his opposition to indentureship are highly respected. In December 1915, at the 30th Indian National Congress session held in Bombay, he decried the system and urged for its abolition. Eventually, the practice ended in 1917. Though Gandhiji never visited Trinidad personally, he had sent his emissary C. F. Andrews in 1930, to study the Caribbean situation and listen to the indentured labourers plight.

(The author is the Indian

High Commissioner

to Trinidad and Tobago)

arun.sahu68@gmail.com

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Gandhiji in the Caribbean - The Hindu

Latin America and the Caribbean is the deadliest region for environmental defenders, a violent record that has global repercussions.

Why it matters: The region has several of the most biodiverse areas of the planet, but they are constantly threatened by logging, mining or aquifer overexploitation.

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Razing those areas has worldwide consequences, such as accelerating global warming when it is already alarmingly high.

In many cases, civilian activists are the only ones standing against harmful projects in their communities.

Latin America has been a flashpoint for several years, but attacks increased to their worst number on record in 2020.

By the numbers: Of the 227 killings tallied globally by Global Witness, 165 occurred in Latin American countries. That is 72%, or almost 3 out of 4.

Colombia had the highest toll, with 65 lethal attacks, followed by Mexico with 30 killings and Brazil with 20.

Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua had the fifth, seventh and eighth highest environmental activist death tolls in the world.

Global Witness also stresses that many attacks these activists face, like death threats or sexual violence, go unreported.

State of play: Most of the cases also go unpunished, begetting further violence, as corruption in criminal justice systems too often shields governments and businesses responsible for these murders, UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor tells AP.

A notable exception is the 2016 murder of Honduran Berta Cceres, a member of the Lenca Indigenous community, who was shot dead because of her protests against a hydroelectric dam.

Her family pushed tirelessly for justice in the country with the highest levels of impunity in the Americas.

Cceres' killers were sentenced in 2019 to 50 years in prison, while the U.S. trained intelligence officer who hired them was convicted this past summer.

What theyre saying: The people killed each year defending their local places are also defending our shared planet in particular our climate, American environmentalist Bill McKibben writes in the Global Witness report. The work of those activists safeguard[s] all of us from incessant temperature increases.

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Latin America and the Caribbean is the deadliest region for environmental defenders - Yahoo News

Anguilla is an island thats all about the experience.

Its an island for getting out to the beaches; about exploring; about savoring the gastronomic wonders.

And that means when youre looking for a resort, particularly for a family, you want one that emphasizes that sense of discovery while also understanding the luxuries that matter most.

Thats where the islands newest resort comes in.

Its called Tranquility Beach, a residential resort set on the heart of Meads Bay Beach.

And unlike most of its competitors, its residential meaning you get the best of both worlds: luxury and comfort, with sparkling full kitchens perfect for utilizing the best of the islands sourcing and produce.

Its something more and more travelers are looking for right now amid the age of the pandemic, where you can get out and explore but also stay in and cook if you want to.

And for families, well, thats everything because the most important thing you want when youre traveling with kids is this: space.

And while you get all the space you need, its in an intimate, boutique resort style, with a mix of just 15 units ranging from one to three bedrooms.

We stayed in the latter, which came with an expansive private outdoor balcony with its own outdoor hot tub.

The room layouts were spacious, with room for a family of two adults and three little ones; thats along with an in-unit laundry, perfect for the kind of long-term stays Anguilla is made for.

The service was terrific copmprehensive without being in your face; but it was the privacy that was remarkable.

Even on one of Anguillas most popular beaches, you feel like you have the whole beach to yourself; theres no worry about reserving a beach chair first thing in the morning.

Its eminently family friendly one that doesnt just make it enjoyable for your kids, but makes it easier for you.

We got into a lovely ritual; if we didnt eat in, wed easily make our way to great meals at eateries like Ember, Straw Hat; Blanchards; Veya; Sharkys.

They all welcomed kids, and we didnt find a bad meal between them a decided trend on this culinary-focused island.

And Tranquility Beach was both the perfect jumping off point for an island that begs for discovery and also the perfect place for returning home and doing nothing at all.

Anguilla is just hard enough to get to that its wonderfully off the beaten path.

And for a family with kids, Tranquility Beach is, simply, the perfect place to stay, a luxury resort that understands the most important luxuries of all.

For more, visit Tranquility Beach.

CJ

See the article here:

Why This Is the Best Family Resort in Anguilla Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal

It doesnt take much to convince many travelers that island life is where relaxation and paradise await. Arubas location out of the traditional hurricane path along with its Dutch heritage make it an interesting, year-round island to explore.

The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is an excellent place to base your island adventure. In fact, this was the first beachfront hotel to open in the area back in 1959, and it is regularly credited for being the birthplace of the islands luxury tourism industry. Today, a recent renovation and the ideal beach location make this a hot spot for vacationers looking for fun in the sun. Here are five of the best reasons to visit the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.

The beach

Positioned in the heart of Palm Beach, this resort enjoys picture-perfect sunsets and all-day aquamarine waters. Lined with thatch-roofed palapas, the waterfront is an enviable stretch of sand with plenty of places to sit in the sand and relax. Among the newest amenities at the resort are the new beach power palapas that are perfect for those doing remote work in Aruba. They come with power and USB outlets plus laptop cooling pads, which mean you can work all day by the beach without concern. Drinks and food are available at any time. To request service, flip a special marker from red to green, and a server will appear.

Facing the beach is the resorts 24-hour fitness center as well as a meandering sidewalk that stretches all the way the length of this section of coastline for those interested in jogging al fresco. Just in front of the resort is a pier with a popular bar and several shops. Also nearby is where many of the motorized watersport activities start their journey, which means that Hilton guests have an edge when compared to guests at other hotels.

The food

There are so many options for dining at the resort, not to mention in the area including just across the street. For those that want to stay put, there is plenty of variety. Laguna starts off the day with an impressive breakfast spread including shredded beef arepas, Belgian waffles and a steak and eggs platter. What really gets people in the mood is its bottomless flutes of champagne or mimosa breakfast. For dinner, Sunset Grille is the signature steakhouse serving top-shelf cuts of meat with all shareable side dishes like Gouda cheese fritters and marinated mushrooms. Vegetarians and pescatarians will do just fine at Sunset Grille, too.

During the day, guests can tipple at the lobby lounge bar (dont miss the signature cocktail or daily happy hour special). Live music often entertains. There is also a poolside grille and bar with the option to dine in your lounge chair or in the seafood restaurant facing the beach. Try the shrimp ceviche (theres also a tofu option) or the grain bowls that come with any type of protein you desire and fresh avocado. There are sandwiches, burgers and salads on offer as well. Families will love the lobby grab-and-go market selling a variety of breakfast and lunch salads, freshly made quinoa bowls and salads, ice cream, wine, beer, coffee and other sundries.

The most romantic of dining experiences, however, is reserved for only a handful of prized tables set up before sunset. Couples can clink glasses while watching the sun dip into the ocean before dining on a multi-course meal on linen-lined tables. With your toes in the sand, this is one of the most bespoke dining experiences on the whole beach.

The balconies

When famed hotel designer Morris Lapidus created the hotel in the late 1950s, the design was extremely special and permitted all of the rooms to enjoy at least a partial view of the ocean. The furnished balconies are positioned in such a way that people can see the bright blue ocean easily. As additional buildings were added to the resort, they followed the same design although these days, lower floors are more likely to have garden views. Definitely opt for a high floor for the best exposures although even the garden views survey swaying palm trees and can overhear either the crashing waves or lobby-level waterfalls.

Perhaps the best part of the balconies is that the complimentary wireless internet works well there, which means remote workers have no problem catching up on emails in the fresh air.

The pools

With two beautiful pools, there is plenty of place to relax. One has splashing fountains while the other hosts many of the daily wellness activities like pool aerobics, yoga or even movie nights in the pool. Poolside cabanas are another option to the beach palapas, and with Arubas traditional trade wind breeze, no one will ever get too hot while relaxing by the pool.

Dont miss the resorts resident birds that live just by the pool waterfalls. Guests can interact with them and their handlers, take photos or even follow their social media accounts to enjoy once they are home.

The history

This Hilton has an important reputation for locals since this was the first beachfront hotel to open in 1959 and is regularly credited for being the birthplace of the islands luxury tourism industry. Throughout the hotel, vintage photos detail the history of the property including the royalty and celebrities that have stayed here. Of particular note are photos of the hotel when its the only thing on the entire beach.

Originally opened as the Aruba Caribbean Hotel (it only became a Hilton by 2015), recent renovations here have refreshed the tropical look including colorful Aruban photographs in guest rooms and new furnishings around the property.

The resort is also the birthplace of the (extremely potent) Aruba Ariba cocktail, which you can sample in any of the bars. No matter what you do, taste or sip during a visit to this well-known hotel, expect friendly service and one of the most beautiful and practical beachfronts on the whole island.

Also read: The Best Things To Do In Aruba

Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines, and loyalty programs from around the globe.

Link:

5 Reasons to Visit the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino - Pursuitist

Continued vaccination and recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean should be among top global priorities. Despite recent reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths, the region remains a global hotspot with potential health and economic implications for the Western Hemisphere and beyond.

Why is health and prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean strategically important for the international community? How can regional stakeholders boost vaccination and recovery progress through greater international cooperation? What should we expect in the coming months and years ahead?

Join the Atlantic Councils Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center onWednesday, September 22, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (ET), for our annual, high-level conference on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly. This years event focuses on the role of the international community in supporting regional vaccination and recovery. This public discussion is also part of a larger campaign on the strategic importance of increasing vaccine access with Latin American and Caribbean countries and of the need to accelerate policy planning on advancing prosperity in light of the continued threat of COVID-19.

H.E. Epsy Campbell-BarrVice PresidentRepublic of Costa Rica

H.E. Carla VizzottiMinister of HealthRepublic of Argentina

H.E. Jos Manuel AlbaresMinister of Foreign AffairsSpain

Anabel GonzalezDeputy Director-GeneralWorld Trade Organization (WTO)

Carlos Felipe JaramilloVice President, Latin America and the CaribbeanWorld Bank

Russell ContrerasReporter; Co-author of Axios Latino NewsletterAxios

Jason MarczakDirector, Adrienne Arsht Latin America CenterAtlantic Council

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Latin America and the Caribbean's recovery: A global priority - Atlantic Council

KEY FIGURES

77K APPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTION IN MEXICO SO FAR IN 2021

REGIONAL: MIGRANTS & REFUGEES

CENTRAL AMERICA & MEXICO

Mexican authorities dispersed a caravan of about 800 migrants, comprised mainly of people from Central America, Haiti, Venezuela and Cuba, that set out from the city of Tapachula in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas on the Guatemalan border, the fourth such caravan dispersed in just over a week.

Mexicos migration and asylum systems are dealing with increased immigration through their southern border and the United States sending thousands detained at the US-Mexico border back to Mexico. The Mexican Comission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) has fielded more than 77,000 applications for protection so far in 2021, with 55,000 coming in Tapachula, where shelters are full and protests over delayed processing times are growing.

PANAMA

The rising number of migrants entering from Colombia through the dangerous Darien jungle area in eastern Panama is leading to a corresponding rise in violence and sexual assault. Officials say they have received as many as 170 reports of rape from migrants in the last two months, adding that the real number of incidents is likely higher. Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) and the Ministry of Health are on the ground in the province of Darien, providing medical attention and psychosocial support. Panamas Attorney Generals Office indicate they are setting up a special prosecutor's office in Darien to respond to the high number of reports of violence against the migrants.

So far in 2021, Panama has recorded more than 42,000 migrants entering through Darien, just over a quarter of all the migrants recorded since 2009. Per authorities in Colombia, there are about 14,000 migrants in the northern border community of Necocl in the department of Antioquia who are awaiting entry into Panama, who are only allowing the entry of 500 migrants a day.

KEY FIGURES

1M HECTARES OF LAND IN SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA, BURNED BY WILDFIRES

REGIONAL: NATURAL HAZARDS

MEXICO: EARTHQUAKE

Per Mexicos seismological service, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the city of Acapulco in the southern state of Guerrero on 7 September. The quake, with a shallow depth of 12 km, was felt across Guerrero, as well as the states of Oaxaca, Mexico State, Morelos and the capital of Mexico City.

Preliminary damage reports indicate minor damage and interruptions to power and communications networks, mostly in Guerrero and Mexico City. Guerrero authorities report 1 death.

BOLIVIA: WILDFIRES

Per Bolivias Forest Fire Early Warning System (SATIF), fires have consumed more than 1 million hectares in the eastern department of Santa Cruz, up from the 600,000 hectares reported the week of 20-26 August. There are currently 15 active fires in the department.

Authorities say there are about 400 people responding to the various fires. The Government has dispatched about 12.6 tons of relief supplies for distribution among 4,700 affected families in eight affected municipalities.

Excerpt from:

Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (6-12 September 2021) As of 13 September 2021 - Mexico - ReliefWeb

Royal Caribbean is giving guests an additional three months of cruises to choose from when using their future cruise credit.

The Cruise with Confidence program allows anyone booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise to cancel their sailing up to 48 hours before their sail date, and that credit can now be used for sailings departing by December 31, 2022. It was previously held to September 30, 2022.

Essentially, anyone with a future cruise credit can apply it to more sailings than before.

When a guest cancels their cruise past the final payment date, they can get a future cruise credit worth 100% of the cruise fare paid as long as they cancel at least 48 hours before the sail date.

The credit is valid to book by April 30th, 2022 and sail by December 31, 2022, or one year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.

As of now, theCruise with Confidence program is valid on any cruise booked before October 31, 2021.

Royal Caribbean has steadily extended the Cruise with Confidence program by pushing back the date at which sailings must be booked by.

It was originally introduced right before cruises began shutting down due to Covid-19 as a mechanism to give guests piece of mind they could change their plans after the final payment date.

Without theCruise with Confidence program, there would be a penalty if you cancelled a cruise after the final payment date.

The additional three months of cruises to choose from follows up on guest feedback that many RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers shared last month when Royal Caribbean extended the program without also extending when you could sail.

Sean McVeigh wrote, "They need to extend the date for cruise rebooking. There are so many of us at this point that have cancelled 5+ cruises and they take so long to get us the cruise credits we end up with more credits than we can use in a year."

Alan DeHaanwanted the same thing, "I have a small amount of FCC I'd love to put on my next cruise but that's next October. Just extend Rebooking."

With the new change, guests now have more cruises to choose from when applying their credits.

Excerpt from:

Royal Caribbean extends window of time to use future cruise credits through end of 2022 - Royal Caribbean Blog

Another Caribbean cruise port will reopen to cruise ships next week when Celebrity Equinox visits St. Kitts and Nevis.

Photo Credit: kayokayo via Wiki CC 3.0

On September 14, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will host 1,400 passengers on Celebrity Equinox at its Port Zante. The visit by Celebrity Equinox, which is part of its parent company Royal Caribbean Group, will mark the first call by the Royal Caribbean Group to the twin-island since the onset of the pandemic.

St. Kitts and Nevis remains in high demand as a renowned port for its exceptional tours complemented by an unmatched experience. The nation achieved the honorary Marquee Port status two cruise seasons in a row before the pandemic for reaching the one million passenger mark.

Sponsored Links

According to officials, St. Kitts and Nevis will create a bubble at Port Zante to resume cruise tourism in the country. These safety protocols involve having 95 percent of all crew onboard the vessel fully vaccinated according to the CDC guidelines and ensuring all guests over 12 years of age are fully vaccinated with a World Health Organisation or the US Food and Drug Administration approved vaccine. All individuals must also submit a negative PCR or Antigen test three days before the embarkation of the vessel at homeport at the beginning of the cruise.

Funded by the countrys Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, Port Zante sees cruise ship visits from many cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and P&O Cruises.

Minister Grant told CS Global Partners that revenue from CBIs Sustainable Growth Fund option has played a pivotal role in keeping the economy afloat during the pandemic through the Poverty Alleviation Programme and it has also aided the preparation to reopen the tourism sector safety. All signs point to a positive recovery of the economy in St Kitts and Nevis as global businesses begins to grow, he added.

St. Kitts and Nevis has the longest-standing CBI Programme in the industry, which has helped cultivate and improve the nations infrastructure development and social services. CBI funds generated through foreign investors also continue to finance healthcare, education and sports ventures on the islands.

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Another Caribbean Cruise Port Reopening to Cruise Ships Next Week - Cruise Fever

September 14 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) President Randy Harris has backed FIFAs plans for a biennial World Cup, arguing that it would offer more high-quality playing opportunities for his member associations.

In an interview with Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner, Harris, a heavyweight in the local football arena, said that in our region, we are not playing competitive football at the level of World Cup qualifying and trying to make it to the finals. We in the Caribbean, would support a World Cup every two years. The World Cup would bring an appeal to the players, officials and the general public that nothing else does.

Harris believes that a World Cup every two years would not be too detrimental to the continental tournaments. In FIFAs plans, those tournaments would either continue or also switch to a biennial cycle.

The truth is if we have it biennially there is more activity, especially in a region such as ours, said Harris.

I think people are a bit worried that the World Cup would take away from the confederations tournaments at this time. But I feel that a system can be worked out where we can all live in some harmony to make sure that the global game gets the exposure that it needs.

At FIFA Congress, the proposal for a biennial World Cup was motioned by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the membership duly voted for a feasibility to be conducted.

We just need to manage our time, saidJamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts at the time. I honestly think that it could work and we need to just from a national standpoint, play more football.

Harriss CFU represents an important voting block in the CONCACAF region as well as on the global stage, uniting 25 FIFA member nations as well as six territories that are not affiliated to the global governing body.

On Monday, Concacaf said in a statement that in its initial analysis it understood the merits of a World Cup every two years.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1631651692labto1631651692ofdlr1631651692owedi1631651692sni@i1631651692tnuk.1631651692ardni1631651692mas1631651692

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CFU boss Harris believes biennial WC would help a Caribbean that is failing to compete - Inside World Football

A simple approach to champagne and caviar

Ariel Arce, dubbed the champagne empress of Manhattan debuted her complex yet approachable ways into champagne and caviar at this weekends seminars where six wines and three caviars were paired.

Here are some fun facts and not-so-fun facts about both delicacies:

On the fish egg front, a lot of people dont realize that all different types of sturgeon are producing all different types of caviar and they all have different flavor profiles.

Kalauga Imperial caviar, which was one of three tasted in Arces seminar, is farmed from China. The country is the leading producer of this one product, which you will see on every single three-star Michelin caviar.

Arce told the crowd that while Fridays tasting procedure was to put a little caviar on a potato chip and wash it down with champagne, a more fun (perhaps Aspen) way is to scoop it out of the jar and put it on your hand and suck it off like a little bump, which drew a collective laugh.

On the bubbly side, the region of champagne was decimated in the 1980s, according to Arce.

There was some really dumb thought out there that if you put trash in the vineyards it would actually reflect the sun when it got very hot out and the region of champagne is littered with garbage, she said, noting that winemakers are trying to undo what was done and be more sustainable on the land.

Arce started a direct-to-consumer caviar company in the past year after her restaurants suffered during the pandemic.

I was having to be creative and pivot for survival, she said. It was not fun.

But she realized that people wanted to buy caviar during COVID-19 and its been a hit ever since. Arce is the author of Better with Bubbles and her caviar website is http://www.cavi-air.com.

Carolyn Sackariason, The Aspen Times

Kwame Onwuachi started off cooking in his mothers kitchen at about five years old before being sent to Nigeria on a what was pitched as a two week vacation to visit his grandfather when he was around 10 years old It was a two year punishment to teach me what I have here in America and what to appreciate, the small things like running water, electricity, things that we take for granted every single day.

That experience directly translated to the career path that I eventually took, he said.

Now, at 31 years young, Onwuachi is leading his own Food & Wine Classic seminar in Aspen, and its an homage to his heritage, Tasting Home: Afro-Caribbean Cuisine.

The Friday afternoon seminar was quick-paced and informative and showcased not only the chefs creativity and talent but also his playfulness and genuine desire to get to know the audience and give them a chance to get to know him.

The audience was treated to Onwuachi cooking up a Creole dish, touffe, to honor his mom along with a Caribbean dish.

But attendees left with a lot more information then just cooking techniques and new recipes. We also learned that one of Onwuachis favorite movies is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, he doesnt like coleslaw, he is coming out with a nail polish line in the future the color he was wearing during the seminar he said was called chefs kiss the chefs preferred cocktail is a gin and tonic with a little bit of elderflower and his favorite condiment is ketchup. (In fact, he loves ketchup so much, the Heinz company is creating a ketchup cologne just for him.)

So now, if youre ever in a Kwame Onwuachi-themed trivia round, youll have a head start to some of the answers.

Rose Laudicina, The Aspen Times

I finally have been requisitioned to cover a food seminar. Granted, it was Brooke Williamsons Not Your Mamas Grilled Cheese, so not even an idiot like me could mess that up, hypothetically.

Wendsleydale? Gruyere? Halliburton? No, just two dozen slices of good ol American singles on white bread drenched in mayonnaise and a lukewarm griddle, thats the secret. It was like watching AllRecipes.com take acid at 9:30 a.m. and try to sit on its own whoopee cushion.

Williamson presented some culinary tricks definitely out of my purview, such as using fish sauce in your homemade caramel coating instead of, I dont know, Smuckers? If you havent realized already, my kitchen vocabulary is limited. Like, you lost me at bring to a boil. I dont know why the sores on my back need to examine the progress, but whatever.

Everyone here has had breakfast, right? Williamson asked. Noooo, the crowd droned. But please, continue.

I dont exactly know what I was expecting, but probably something like Great British Baking Show with every participant having a mini table and spatula and Easy Bake Oven to make their own lil grilled cheese squares.

At least we probably won the tent crowd scream-off against the denizens of Guy Fee-Eddys how to drink in the mornings lecture. As if we didnt already know.

Ben Welch, The Aspen Times

More here:

Reporters' notebook Day 2: Champagne and caviar, Creole and Caribbean, and even a little cheese at the Food & Wine Classic - Aspen Times