IRON CHEF 2024 SPOTLIGHTS OUR CULINARY STARS

Ocean Hotels Barbados Iron Chef 2024 kicked off with the heats in August, where 13 talented participants from O2 Beach Club & Spa, Sea Breeze Beach House and The Rockley competed. After the intense preliminary round, contestants Akelia Marshall (The Rockley), Chad Rowe (O2 Beach Club & Spa) and Kiara Richmond (O2 Beach Club & Spa) advanced to the final stage, facing the reigning champion, Rynaldo Joseph of Sea Breeze Beach House in the prestigious Oro Restaurant at the celebrated O2 Beach Club & Spa.

Each finalist prepared innovative dishes, which were judged on creativity, presentation and taste. In the kitchen, they were also closely monitored by Executive Chef, Ron Maynard, on their organisation, cleanliness, and waste management skills. All criteria totaled a sum of 465 points.

When the clocks stopped, each finalist presented their three courses to the esteemed judges Chef Creig Greenidge, Chef Glenroy Alleyne, and Chef Avion Caine, who provided live feedback and tabulated their scores revealing the following results:

• Champion (416 points): Akelia Marshall (The Rockley)
• 2nd Place (399 points): Rynaldo Joseph (Sea Breeze Beach House)
• 3rd Place (362 points): Chad Rowe (O2 Beach Club & Spa)
• 4th Place (311 points): Kiara Richmond (O2 Beach Club & Spa)

Akelia Marshall, representing The Rockley, impressed the judges with her remarkable combination of flavours, artistry in presentation and flawless execution which led her to victory. Judges praised her creativity and technical proficiency in the kitchen as she craftily used the items of the mystery basket, including preparing a starter that was both vegan and gluten-free.

As winner of Iron Chef 2024, she received the Champion’s trophy, Ocean Hotels Barbados Iron Chef branded apron and a personalised chef’s jacket, two tickets to the Food & Rum Liquid Gold Feast, an invitation to join Chef Michael O’Hare’s culinary team at the exclusive Chef's Classic event, and a JetBlue plane ticket.

Other finalists’ prizes included two tickets to the Rise and Rum event, a chef’s essentials hamper. and a bottle of champagne.

Next year’s competition promises to be bigger and better with enhanced experiences for the competitors and with an element of public involvement.

 

About Ocean Hotels Barbados

Ocean Hotels Barbados is a premier collection of luxury resorts on Barbados’ lively south coast, renowned for exceptional hospitality, world-class dining and luxurious accommodations. Our properties—Sea Breeze Beach House, O2 Beach Club & Spa and The Rockley—offer unique experiences tailored to every guest.