The Tribune

THE Island Flare Food Fight turned out to be an “overwhelming success”, according to organisers.

High school students sliced and diced their way to the top during the culinary competition held at the Mall At Marathon.

This year’s plantain battle saw the students pit their plantain platters against one another as they vied for a $40,000 scholarship to Johnson and Wales and a summer culinary boot camp fully paid for by the school. Some of the local high schools competing for the right to be called Food Fight champions included St Anne’s, C V Bethel, Anatol Rodgers, C I Gibson and C C Sweeting.

Three former 12-grade students from several schools were awarded scholarships and will begin their journey in culinary arts this year at Johnson and Wales University.

The Sandals Foundation donated more than $2,000 toward equipment the students used to create their culinary masterpieces.

Past winners of the Food Fight have gone on to become chefs at the RIU, Paradise Island and Sandals Emerald Bay. A first place winner in Island Flare’s very first plantain challenge is now a chef at one of Walt Disney’s resorts.