TCHTA Announces Lit’l Chef of the Year 2026
Roneiko Rowe Named 2026 TCHTA Lit’l Chef of the Year and First Junior Chef Exchange Participant
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Roneiko Rowe has emerged as the overall winner of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s (TCHTA) 2026 Lit’l Chefs Program, earning two significant opportunities to continue his culinary development locally and regionally.
Rowe placed first in the programme’s culminating Black Box Competition, a mystery ingredient cook-off where he competed against fellow finalists Nkechi Lewis and Ezekiel Martin. The young chefs were challenged to apply the techniques and knowledge gained throughout the programme, preparing dishes under timed competition conditions using a selection of ingredients revealed on the day.
A four-time participant in the Lit’l Chefs Program, Rowe competed under the mentorship of Chef Rajasekar Ravindran of The Palms Turks and Caicos. His performance secured his place with the Turks and Caicos National Culinary Team as an understudy for Junior Chef of the Year. He will travel with the team to Taste of the Caribbean 2026 in Barbados, gaining valuable exposure to regional culinary competition as he prepares to progress towards competing on that stage in 2027.
Rowe’s success has also cemented him as the first TCHTA participant in the Junior Chef Exchange established between TCHTA and the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) this year.
In 2027, he will travel to Antigua and Barbuda to participate in the Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy, where he will gain hands-on experience in professional kitchens alongside young chefs and experienced mentors from across Antigua and Barbuda. The reciprocal exchange will also see the top young chef emerging from ABHTA’s 2026 Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2027 to participate in TCHTA’s culinary programme.
“This is exactly the kind of progression we want to create for our young people,” said Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association. “Roneiko began his journey through our youth culinary programme and will now have the opportunity to learn alongside our National Culinary Team and broaden his experience through the exchange with Antigua and Barbuda. We are incredibly proud of him, and we look forward to seeing where this takes him.”
“Having watched Roneiko develop throughout his four years in the programme, I have seen how seriously he takes his craft,” said Chef Edwin Gallardo, Executive Assistant Manager at Seven Stars Resort & Spa and Lead Mentor of the Turks and Caicos National Culinary Team. “He approaches the kitchen with a level of discipline, focus and professionalism that is exceptional for someone his age. I have no doubt that, with continued mentorship and experience, Roneiko can one day take his place among the executive chefs leading kitchens across the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The TCHTA’s youth culinary programmes form part of its wider TCI Hospitality Adventure Camps initiative, which introduces pre-teens and teenagers to career opportunities across the tourism and hospitality industry through practical learning, mentorship and direct industry exposure.
The initiative is supported by TCHTA members and other industry partners, who open their businesses to participants and share their expertise across the various camp experiences. This involvement allows young people to develop foundational skills while gaining an early understanding of the discipline, teamwork and professionalism required to build a successful career in the industry.
The 2026 culinary program concluded following several weeks of hands-on instruction, mentorship and competition, with the Black Box Competition at The Dunes providing the final test for the Lit’l Chefs participants.
The TCHTA congratulates Roneiko, Nkechi and Ezekiel on their performances and commends all who participated in this year. The Association also extends its appreciation to the participating member properties, chef mentors, programme facilitators and partners whose support continues to make these opportunities possible.
ENDS
About the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA)
The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association represents a wide range of members from resorts and villas to insurance companies and financial service providers, water sports operators, catering outlets, taxi drivers, artisans, and sundry tourism service providers. The Association aims to assist organizations through networking opportunities, training, promotional activities, and representation at all levels of decision-making in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the region. Through involvement and cooperation with our tourism partners, the TCHTA is dedicated to the achievement of sustainable growth in tourism for the benefit of its members and the wider community, while protecting and enhancing the unique character and environment of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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