fp Turks and Caicos

Love was in the air Saturday at the Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts Foundation fundraiser to support the Arts in Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Feb. 12 event, entitled Hopelessly Romantic, was held at Stargazer Villa and enchanted guests with music, food and a hopelessly romantic atmosphere.

It began from the moment guests arrived, greeted by a tuxedo-clad Alastair Dods. Romantic love duets were sung by Addison Stoddard and Cristina Zaccheo, Julian Garland and Candy Barrotti, and Nikko Clarke and Josie Smith, plus an array of gorgeous love songs by local artists hosted by Marvin Henfield and accompanied on the piano by Wendy Hayward.

Couples danced the night away under the stars to the lovely live music. In addition, mouth watering savory culinary delicacies were prepared and donated by several local chefs with love for the Culinary Competition.

Amanyara Chef Fritz Zwahlen, Chef Wolfgang Von Weiser of Grace Bay Resorts, Mango Reef Chef Florent Sourmont, Somewhere on the Beach’s Luis Fabara, Stargazer Villa’s own Chef Annick Vernay and Chef Amy Caffarel of Pine Cay’s Meridian Club all treated guests to culinary delights. These were followed by heavenly award-winning desserts prepared and donated by local chefs Annick Vernay, Amy Caffarel, Chef Derrick Carter of Tiki Hut and Caicos Bakery’s Eric Cuvillon.

The evening proved to be utterly delightful for everyone and a successful fundraiser for TCFAF to continue its mission of providing arts encouragement, entertainment and education for the TCI.  Along with funds raised through the admission, more than 200 guests were put on the membership list and given membership cards.

Judges for the Culinary Competition had a tough job but awarded winners based on innovation, artistry on the plate, taste and relevance to the romantic theme. The five judges  were Rita Huschka, Mandy Rostance Wolf, Wendy Hayward, Cora Malcolm and Ray Durie.

First place went to Amy Caffarel from Pine Cay’s Meridian Club for her small seductive desserts. Second place went to Tiki Hut’s Derrick Carter for his mille feuille shortbread with Chantilly crème and shaved Valrhona chocolate. Third place went to Annick Vernay’s vegetable skewers on a pineapple, followed very closely by Amanyara Chef Fritz Zwahlen’s small plates of cannelloni and croquettes.

The judges and the guests rated all the food simply delicious, and TCFAF was very grateful to all the participating chefs.

Coming off the very successful Nutcracker production in December, Hopelessly Romantic will help with future TCFAF productions.

Slated this year are Dance Workshops with visiting teachers from the Pittsburgh Ballet on March 3-11; a third visit from University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Dancescapes on May 20-27; summer Acting Workshops at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre; and a major Christmas production, soon to be announced.