USVI Hands-On Cooking Class

[flickr id=”6871723859″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]

Food bloggers, free flowing alcohol and a hands-on cooking class – ie, using knives – might sound dangerous, but it’s not. You know what’s dangerous? A make-your-own-cocktail bar, where I took it upon myself to serve drinks to a few select lucky food bloggers, coupled with those first few items. I make my drinks strong but delicious, and if people aren’t used to it, they can easily get sloshed. Let’s just say: guava rum, pineapple juice, and a splash of diet Sprite… well, it’s lethal, because it’s absolutely delicious and you will think I gave you no alcohol but before you know it, you’re on your side, curled up in the fetal position, wondering what you did wrong.

Not that that happened. I wouldn’t know. I can handle my own drinks. Mostly.

[flickr id=”6871724755″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]

We were kept well-lubricated and fed, of course! Starter of bacalao with dipping sauce.

[flickr id=”6871726221″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]

But the main course we all worked hard on – some of us more at keeping those really working un-thirsty – broiled king fish and okra fungi – was fantastic, as guided by Chef Theo. Flavorful, while the veggies in the polenta-like fungi held up nicely, and just an overall wonderful dish.

[flickr id=”6871727559″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”none”]

And of course dessert was great as well.

But really the point of the event was to increase awareness and promote the US Virgin Islands as vacation destinations. If we can eat like that every day, count me in! They even gave away a trip (air & hotel) to a lucky blogger who deserved it, truly, and hotel to another blogger. I was not the other blogger unfortunately but regardless, learning about the USVI made me really want to visit – and I don’t even particularly like tropical vacations or beaches! If you have a chance to visit, be sure to check out their festival schedule, as there’s always a new, fun festival going on. And the food… mmm… the food!

Please note that I attended this event courtesy of the USVI Tourism Board, but was under no obligation nor received any monetary compensation to post about it, positively or negatively.