As previously published, the Fiesta di Cunuco (Countryside Festival) was once again successfully organized by the Department of Elderly Affairs (DOZ) and the Department of Agriculture, Husbandry, and Fisheries Santa Rosa (DLVV), in combination with the Santa Rosa Market. The Santa Rosa Market could not be complete without local Creole (Crioyo) food to savor. This is exactly what we promote and raise awareness for—eating as healthily as possible, and logically, eating local Creole dishes. This is because during the Santa Rosa Markets, there is always one delicious local dish or another being offered. When you visit one of our markets, you know that Creole food takes center stage.
When those who offer local food during the Fiesta di Cunuco and Santa Rosa Market were approached, they were informed that there would be a Creole food competition and that they could participate with any Creole dish of their choice, or even a local-style sandwich. Arrangements were made to invite three chefs to judge these dishes.
EPB Pariba (vocational school) was approached for cooperation to secure these chefs, and they were ready from the very beginning to lend a hand and contribute to the local dishes being offered on that day. The chefs present on the Sunday of the Fiesta di Cunuco were Mrs. Helena Bislip, Mr. Orlando Petronia, and Mr. Joris Peeters. The task of these three chefs was to taste every dish presented, judge them, and give a final score to determine the winners.
In the Creole food and sandwich category, first place went to “Aruba di Antes,” which offered Pan cu Calco (conch sandwich). The first-place prize for the Creole dish went to Fundacion Cas Marie, which offered a tremendous Pisca Crioyo (Creole Fish). At the end of the event, they received their respective prizes from the hands of the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Husbandry, and Fisheries, Santa Rosa (DLVV), Mrs. Nathalie Maduro, and also Mrs. Desiree Helder, Director of the Department of Elderly Affairs (DOZ).
Words of congratulations and gratitude go out to the winners and also to the chefs from EPB Pariba for elevating the event and keeping our local Creole dishes alive for everyone to savor, continuing to preserve our local culinary culture.
