Chancery Culinary Challenge: a flavourful celebration of teamwork and tradition

The courtyard of the Archbishop’s House came alive August 23 with vibrant energy as the ‘Chancery Culinary Challenge’ brought together departments from across the Chancery and the Curia.

What started as a friendly competition quickly became a day filled with laughter, creativity, and a deep sense of community, proving that cooking not only feeds the body but nourishes the soul.

Six teams from various departments, including the Chancellor’s Office, Finance, Archbishop’s Appeal & HR, Archbishop’s Office, and Belmont Pastoral Campus put their culinary skills to the test in a challenge that featured dishes representing different global cuisines.

From Creole to Chinese, Arabian to Indian, each team took on the mission to create a masterpiece that would impress the judges and earn them the coveted title of Culinary Champions.

The event was expertly hosted by Jynnyn Edwards, who brought her signature charm and flair. Known for hosting her popular show Sizzle N Spice, Jynnyn added a delightful touch of professionalism and warmth, keeping the energy high throughout the day.

A day full of culinary creations

The day began with an early setup with tents, stoves, and gas tanks delivered and positioned the night before. Each team bought their ingredients and prepared the bulk of their dishes on the spot, while some of the prep work, such as chopping vegetables and marinating meats, was done at home in advance.

The ‘Sweet Hand’ team from the Chancellor’s Office brought Creole flavour to the table with bold and spicy dishes that wowed the crowd. The ‘HUÒSHÈNG DUÌ’ team from Finance impressed with their vibrant Chinese dishes, while ‘The Aromatic Spice Girls’ from the Archbishop’s Appeal & HR delighted with rich and aromatic Indian dishes.

From Belmont Pastoral Campus, the ‘BPC Renegades’ delivered an authentic Indian feast, while ‘Bess Creole Pot’ brought another delicious Creole offering. Finally, ‘Karroteenz’ from the Archbishop’s Office/Properties team showcased their culinary expertise with Arabian cuisine.

Though the day was initially sunny, the weather took a sudden turn, bringing showers that could have dampened spirits. However, with the quick thinking of the event organisers, extra flaps were added to the tents.

Judges and criteria

By 11.30 a.m., the dishes were ready, and the judges began their tasting rounds.

A distinguished panel of judges: Anil Singh, owner of Hot Subs; Roger Harford, CEO of Mario’s Pizzeria; Gilbert Sankar, Finance Council vice chair; Bonia Lyder,  and Candace Guppy Sobion from Living Water Community had the tough job of evaluating each dish.

They judged the teams based on: Taste, Presentation, Creativity, Team Spirit, Timeliness, Cleanliness, and use of the Special Ingredient which was assigned to each team.

The judges were thoroughly impressed by the quality and variety of the dishes. “This event wasn’t just about cooking; it was about bringing people together and building connections over food,” said Singh. “It’s a beautiful thing to see the pride and effort each team put into their dishes,” Harford added.

When the judging was complete, ‘Karroteenz’ claimed the top prize with their beautifully prepared Arabian cuisine. In second place was ‘Bess Creole Pot’ from Belmont Pastoral Campus, whose Creole dishes impressed the judges with their depth of flavour and cultural authenticity. Coming in third place was ‘Sweet Hand’, who blended their Creole recipes to create a delicious gumbo that left everyone wanting more. Fourth, fifth and sixth were ‘The Aromatic Spicy Girls’, ‘HUÒSHÈNG DUÌ’, and ‘BPC ‘Renegades’, respectively.

Following the judging, all participants and attendees gathered for lunch, enjoying the fruits of their labour. There was a true sense of accomplishment in the air as the teams reflected on their hard work and shared their culinary creations with one another.

Archbishop Jason Gordon playfully remarked that, now aware of the incredible talent within the Chancery, the next step might be to turn this event into a major fundraiser to support the Church’s mission in caring for the most vulnerable in society.

In the end, the Chancery Culinary Challenge was a resounding success. The day not only showcased the incredible culinary talents of the Chancery and Curia teams but also fostered stronger bonds within the community.

A heartfelt thank you to Evolving Marketing Concepts Limited for expertly pulling this event together, DJ Quintin for providing lively entertainment, Focus Videography for capturing the day, our wonderful host Jynnyn Edwards, and to all the dedicated staff at the Chancery and Curia for their invaluable contributions.