Be a Judge in the world’s only Conch Festival by winning your FREE trip including airfare for two to Turks & Caicos this fall!

Signup to receive the Turks & Caicos Reservations newsletter and you and a guest will automatically be entered to be a judge in the 2010 Conch Festival in beautiful Blue Hills, plus win a Five Night Stay at the luxury West Bay Club boutique resort directly on Grace Bay beach, and flights for two.

Your FREE TURKS & CAICOS PRIZE (worth approx $3500) includes:

• Five nights accommodation for two guests in a One Bedroom oceanfront suite with furnished balcony and full gourmet kitchen at West Bay Club (value of $2420 US) 
• Daily breakfast
• Complimentary resort amenities including snorkel equipment, beach service and much more
• Two Conch Festival tickets
• One of the judges of the Conch Festival
• Flights (we’ll reimburse you a maximum of $1,000 US dollars for your airfare)

Sign up here http://www.turksandcaicosreservations.tc/contest

MASKANOO EVENT IN TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

The 1st MASKANOO event to be held in the highly visited tourist area of Grace Bay in the island of Providenciales in Turks & Caicos is to be held in December 2010.  It will be an event aimed at showcasing the islands’ cultural heritage with the incorporation of activities indigenous to the TCI including “Masses”, Junkanoo, food, drink, arts, crafts and local entertainment (including ripsaw, drums etc).

The event will take place along Grace Bay Road between Seven Stars Resort and Salt Mills Plaza, creating a close‐knit environment in the “tourist capital” of Providenciales.

MASKANOO will run from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, with vendors selling local food and beverage, arts and crafts along the route. A variety of entertainment will be scheduled every hour on a main stage to be located opposite the Regent Village Entrance. A grand finale with fireworks will take place on the beach at mid‐night.

Proposed Programme:
5:00pm ‐ Kick Off (DJ music playing)
5:15pm ‐ Welcome by the TCHTA
5:30pm ‐ Cultural Performance by TUCA or other group
6:15pm ‐ Live Band
7:00pm ‐ Parade of Bands (Masses/Junkanoo)
8:30pm ‐ DJ
9:15pm ‐ Ripsaw group performance
9:45pm ‐ DJ
10:15pm ‐ Live Band
11:00pm ‐ Cultural Performance
11:30pm ‐ DJ
Midnight ‐ Fireworks on the Beach

Here’s a taste of some of what you can expect to experience in Turks & Caicos!

The 20th Anniversary of the Annual Fool’s Regatta in beautiful Grace Bay beach in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos was the best ever this year!  If you’ve missed it, mark your calendars for June 2011 to come and help us celebrate this wonderful event.

June 19th was a fun filled day for all as residents and visitors joined in the festivities of Native Sloops battling for the first ever ‘Tom Lightbourne Memorial Trophy’, Tug-O-War, Hobie Cat races for all ages, the Great Raft Race and much much more.

With lots to eat and drink (the Bambarra Rum tent was very popular), great music by DJ and the Provo Primary Steel Band, and to top it all off, the crystal clear turquoise waters of Grace Bay beach - a great time was had by all.

All proceeds from this event went to benefit the TCIFA Youth Programme.

See you next year!!!!

Pricewaterhouse Coopers & Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort & Spa

We hope that you are aware of the Charity Horseracing Nights that Mark Johnson (caller of this year’s Kentucky Derby) has hosted in previous years.  These fun filled nights have raised in excess of $160,000 for Marks’ chosen charity The Turks & Caicos Aids Awareness Foundation.  Mark has most generously agreed to host another Charity Horse Racing Night on Saturday 23rd January 2010 at Beaches, all proceeds of which will benefit the charity.  As on island organisers, we invite you to purchase a table of 10 at this event.

The price of $1,500 per table includes a 3-course dinner; open bar and of course the evenings’ live entertainment.  In recognition of your support, your company name/logo will be prominently placed within the evenings Race Card. Once you have purchased your table, we ask you to invite guests of your choice.

We are also offering companies the opportunity to sponsor a race.    Mark will obviously use your companies name as many times as possible during the pre-amble to your race and the race itself.  This additional sponsorship will cost $300.  If your company is interested in sponsoring a race please get back to us as soon as possible, since there are only 7 races available.

Mark has prepared a DVD of horse races, on which he will commentate live.  Guests/Punters will be encouraged to “take a flutter on the Gee Gees”.  Proceeds from these wagers will add to the monies raised for the charity. 

If you wish to purchase a table please contact Sarah Haywood on 332 0096 or e.mail nickh@express.tc. There are a limited number of tables, so please be sure to reserve early!

We do hope that you will choose to join us for the evening and look forward to hearing from you soon. 

“Turf & Surf 2010” - A Charity Horseracing Night
Hosted by Mark Johnson (Internationally renowned Horseracing Commentator)

Saturday 23rd January 2010 at Beaches
Cocktails 7.00 p.m. 1st Race 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $150 (Includes 3 course dinner, open bar & entertainment)

Available from 649-332-0096

All proceeds to benefit The Turks & Caicos Aids Awareness Foundation

Our friends at Brilliant started a new tradition here in the islands - cruising around to a bunch of different companies to video and shoot the team(s) dancing around in Santa Hats - this was as much fun to do as it is to watch.  Check out the DiscoverTCI team (under company name Wired Island - close to the beginning).

Dancing Santa Hats in the Turks & Caicos Islands from Brilliant by Tropical Imaging on Vimeo.

6TH ANNUAL TURKS & CAICOS CONCH FESTIVAL A KNOCKOUT:
DRAWS RECORD CROWDS, CROWNS NEW CHAMPIONS
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – December 2, 2009 – The Sixth Annual Turks and Caicos Conch Festival attracted record crowds of conch lovers and fun seekers to its scenic Blue Hills venue Saturday November 28. The event featured a variety of music, live entertainment, a celebrity appearance by world heavyweight boxing champ Michael Moorer, conch contests and the showcase event – the restaurant conch-e-tition, which saw 25 restaurants compete and some new champions crowned in the competition to come up with the tastiest and most creative conch dishes.

The Saturday afternoon festivities were part of an event-filled weekend, including a special Conch Festival pre-party at The Somerset on Friday evening that featured a special Jazz on the Lawn concert. Sunday morning, nearly 100 runners took to the streets of Provo in the first annual Wrigthfully Fit Charity Run, with proceeds going to the Provo Children’s Home.

“It was a great Conch Festival and a great weekend. The weather cooperated, people showed up in record numbers, and we had tremendous support from all the restaurants, hotels and local businesses.   This is becoming a true community event that we can all be proud of,” said Conch Festival president Mike Sottak. “The mix of people and the energy were both at an all time high, and it’s great to see how the whole weekend is really becoming a signature event for the Turks and Caicos for both tourists and residents. ”

Entertainment highlights included the Haitian Brass Marching Band kicking of the festivities, followed by The Five Cays Under The Tree Ripsaw Band.  An appearance by three-time world heavyweight boxing champ Michael Moorer thrilled the crowds, and things reached a fever pitch during the conch knocking contest that pitted the island’s best conch fishermen in a head to head battle.  Tanker’s Junk-a-Noo then revved up the on-lookers with their high-octane rush, as festival goers danced merrily in the streets of Blue Hills.

And the winners are…

As always, conch culinary creations were at the center of the Festival’s main tent. Winning the overall Best in Festival prize, as determined by popular vote, was Bay Bistro Restaurant, with the delectable conch crepes.  They impressed the majority of the voters who cast ballots at the festive event, and Clive Whent and his team will hold on to the coveted trophy for another year.

In the category competitions, the following were deemed tops in the TCI by a team of guest judges (see list of judges below):

Best Conch Salad
1st Place Joyride (Eleuthrera. Bahamas)
2nd Place    tie Froggie’s
                        O’Soleil (The Somerset)
3rd Place  Bay Bistro (Sibonne)

Best Conch Chowder
1st Place  Salt Mills Diner
2nd Place  Hole in the Wall
3rd Place  Opus

Best Specialty Conch
1st Place  Seaside (Ocean Club) Conch Burgers
2nd Place  Caicos Dishes  Butter/Pepper conch
3rd Place      tie Bay Bistro  Conch Wontons
   Simba   Conch Hash

In the always popular Bacardi Mojito making contest, three mixologists rose to the top:

1st Place  Kamario Smith   (Ocean Club)
2nd Place  Norywn Guthrie    (The Somerset)
3rd Place  Mario Kidd   (Grace Bay Club)

Head of TCI Culture David Bowen officiated the conch blowing and conch knocking contests with the result as follows:

Conch Blowing Contest
Longest Blow:  Dan Petrovitch
Best  Melody:  Phil Robinson Jr.

Conch Knocking Contest
1st Place:  Latran Handfield
2nd Place:  Handee “Gubby” Joseph

More information and can be found on www.conchfestival.com and additional information is below.

 
The Judges

Jim Baker
President, Caicos Pride Seafood, South Caicos

Wesley Clerveaux
Director, Dept of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR), Providenciales

Clay Conley
Head Chef, Azul (Mandarin Oriental Hotel), Miami, Fla.

James Dean
Legendary boat builder and fisherman. Blue Hills, TCI

Jason Francis
Fisherman. Restauranteur. Providenciales

Dean James Max
Owner/chef, 3030 Ocean Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Michael Moorer
Three-time world heavyweight boxing champion. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Art Pickering
Owner, After Five Concierge Services, Providenciales

Previous Grand Champions

2004 – Nikki of South Caicos
2005 – Hole in the Wall
2006 – Aqua
2007 – Aqua
2008 – Aqua
2009 –  Bay Bistro
The 2009 Restaurant Competitors

Grace Bay Resorts Joyride   Salt Mills
Anchorage Las Brisas  Graceway Gourmet 
Kissing Fish Seaside (Ocean Club)
Bagatelle Caicos Dishes  Harbour Kitchen Orchid  Seven Stars
Bay Bistro Danny Buoy’s  Hemingay’s  
Opus  Simba
Beaches  Froggie’s   
Hole in the Wall  
O’Soleil  TC Hotel School      Parallel 23
 
Recap of Events
Time   Main Stage    Beach/Kids Area

12:00   Main Tasting Tent Opens

12:30   Tempest TCI Marching Brass Band
   Parade of Queens 
        
1:30   The Five Cays Under the Tree Rip Saw Band    
             
2:45   Conch Blowing Contest       

3:00   Bacardi Mojito Contest

3:45   Conch Knocking Contest

4:00   Bambarra Rum Junk A Noo Rush  Santa Claus   

4:30   Lee Forbes & The Force    

5:30   Tasting closes

6:00   Announce Festival Winners
Pot of Gold Draw

Get ready for Gourmet Safari 2009 in Provo!

On December 19th don’t miss a culinary showcase from celebrated and talented Executive Chefs and their award-winning culinary teams in the Turks and Caicos. Various different restaurants will be participating in this year’s Gourmet Safari 2009 including:

5:30pm - 6:30pm            
Open Reception: hors d’oeuvres & cocktails at Grace Bay Club

6:30pm - 7:30pm            
First Course at Coyaba

7:30pm - 8:30pm            
Second Course: Fish at O’Soleil at The Somerset

8:30pm - 9:30pm            
Main Course at Lemon Café

9:30pm-10:30pm            
Dessert and Cigars at Bagatelle at the Gansevoort

$250 per person.  Contact Nicole Neumister at Grace Bay Club for reservations and information. Tel: 946-5050 Ext. 1021

New Years’s Eve festivities in Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

There should be a nice one at Hemmingway’s Restaurant (at Sands Resort, just an 8 minute drive) which has junkanoo parade at midnight and fireworks.  A few resorts do beach parties and bonfires and I think there may be a kind of an impromptu one either by Royal West Indies Resort or or by Ricky’s (both just minutes drive away).
 
Bay Bistro does dinner on the beach with bonfire - real nice.
 
Grace Bay Club, Regent Palms and Somerset will also do more expensive ones, and on the less expensive end, Ports of Call and Danny Buoy’s PUB usually have bands.
 
Most restaurants run New year’s Even specials - fixed price menus with champagne and favors…

That’s right Provo lovers, get ready for MASKANOO! 

Here’s the skinny:

Date & Time:  Sat, Dec 26, 2009 Boxing Day
Location:  Along Grace Bay road between Regent Village and Salt Mills Plaza with the finale on Grace Bay Beach

Event Overview:  An event aimed at showcasing the island’s cultural heritage with the incorporation of activities indigenous to the TCI including ‘masses’, junkanoo, food, drink, arts, crafts, local entertainment (including ripsaws, drums, whistles, cowbells, etc).   Hotels are being encouraged to put out their own teams, and costumes will be available for sale.  Vendors will be setup along the route selling local food, beverage, arts and crafts while a variety of entertainment will be scheduled every hour on a main stage to be setup at the intersection of Grace Bay Road and the entrance to the Regent Village.  The grand finale will take place at midnight on the beach next to the Regent Village and culminate with fireworks. 

It is hoped that Maskanoo will become an annual event on the TCI calendar.

Program:

• 5pm:  kickoff DJ music
• 5:15pm - 6pm:  Parade of Kids Maskanoo bands
• 6pm - 7pm:  Musical Bands
• 7pm - 8pm:  Parade of hotel Maskanoo bands
• 8pm - 9pm:  Entertainment - local bands
• 9pm - 10pm:  Tuca performance
• 10pm - 10:30pm:  Ripsaw
• 10:30pm - 12am:  Parade of large groups (Tanker & Kitchener)
• 12am:  Grand finale with fireworks

Be there!

Top local chefs compete in annual celebration of islands’ famous delicacy, “Jazz on the Lawn” at The Somerset, charity road race highlight full weekend of activities.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – October 8, 2009 - The Sixth Annual Turks & Caicos Conch Festival is scheduled for the last weekend in November, with a full line-up of events and activities to celebrate the islands’ most famous delicacy, historical icon, and number one export.  The popular beachside event will take place on Saturday afternoon (November 28) in the Blue Hills area of Providenciales, outside of Three Queen’s Bar & Restaurant. Major sponsors include Lime, The Wine Cellar,  PPC, and The Somerset on Grace Bay.   This year, the traditional and culturally-rich festivities extend throughout the weekend with a pre-party at the Somerset on Friday evening and a charity run on Sunday morning.

“We’re excited about another outstanding Festival that showcases our great chefs and celebrates the unique aspects of the Turks and Caicos. It’s an ideal way for visitors to get a sense of our history, culture and diverse tourism offering,” said Mike Sottak, President of the Conch Festival.  “This year the Conch Festival has expanded to add a fine dining component that highlights the culinary destination that the Turks and Caicos has become.   A night of music, wine and gourmet dining at The Somerset will set the stage for the traditional seaside island party in Blue Hills that is the Conch Festival.   Rounding out the weekend is the charity road race being hosted by Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center on Sunday morning.”

The traditional Conch Festival takes place on Saturday, November 28 at Noon in Blue Hills and is highlighted by a conch tasting competition among 25 local restaurants and chefs, various conch-related activities, local entertainment and the annual Pot of Gold drawing where The Rotary Club of Providenciales draws one lucky ticket worth $10,000. 

Friday Night, November 27:  Jazz on the Lawn
Held on the grounds of the luxurious beachfront Somerset Resort on Grace Bay, the Friday evening event features local jazz musicians performing under the stars on the resort’s croquet lawn.  While listening to smooth tunes, guests will enjoy a gourmet conch-themed dinner presented by host chef Lauren Callighen of The Somerset’s O’Soleil restaurant, who will be joined by guest chefs and Conch Festival judges, Dean Max award-winning chef and owner of several highly regarded restaurants in the US and the Caribbean; and Clay Conley, head chef at Azul in Miami’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Saturday, November 28:  Sixth Annual Conch Festival
The weekend kicks into high gear on Saturday, November 28 at Noon in the Blue Hills area.  The marquee event of the weekend is the ‘conch-etition’ , which pits the island’s best chefs against each other in a hotly-contested tasting competition judged by a panel of experts as well as the Festival attendees.  Categories include Best Conch Salad, Best Conch Chowder, Best Specialty Conch, Best Presentation and Best in Show. More than 25 restaurants are expected to compete for the cash prizes and bragging rights this year.  Tasting begins at Noon and runs until 5PM. An entry fee of $20 gives Festival-goers a chance to sample all the dishes entered and cast a vote for Best in Show.

Augmenting the always delectable restaurant competitors is the annual Mojito-making contest sponsored by Bacardi where the island’s best bartenders are on display with their creative twists on this classic Cuban cocktail.   This year’s event also features the Turks and Caicos’ own world-renowned Junk-a-Noo, with two separate rushes. 

Special Conch Competitions for conch blowing, conch knocking and a conch hunt in the sea will assure that chefs and bartenders are not the only ones who can win prizes.  Plus the biggest prize of all will be the cash prize of $10,000 drawn at 5:30 on the day of the festival by the Rotary Club of Providenciales as part of its annual Pot-of-Gold raffle.   Tickets are currently on sale from local Rotarians and will be available on the day of the event.  However, buying tickets early is highly encouraged because only a limited number  are available.

Sunday, November 29:  Run for Charity
To burn off the caloric effects of Friday and Saturday, Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center  is hosting its first annual charity run on Sunday moving, November 29, 2009.  Runners of all levels can enter fun runs of either  5K/3.1 miles or 10K – 6.2miles. The longer race begins at 6:30AM while the 5K race goes off at 7:00AM.  Both races begin and end at Wrightfully Fit near Turtle Cove and wind through the scenic beachfront of Providenciales.  The proceeds from the race will go toward the Provo Children’s Home, a purpose build child care facility being constructed in the Chalk Sound area of the island.  Entry fees are $60 for adults and $30 for children under 18.  Sign up in advance at Wrightfully Fit Fitness Center  (located at the Miramar Resort near Turtle Cove marina) or by calling 941 3311.

About the Conch Festival
The Conch Festival is family-friendly event with plenty of games and activities for the kids, including the Department of Culture and Youth’s David Bowen running his famous kids games on the beach and showcasing local culture.  There will be bouncy castles and cartoon characters, and maybe even a cameo appearance by “you know who” from the North Pole, who comes calling just a month after the Conch Festival.

More information on the Conch Festival can be found at www.conchfestival.com. Special hotel packages for the Conch Festival can be booked through www.discovertci.com