Just over one –hundred children, from the Environment Division annual Eco –Zone Camp, on Tuesday, participated in the first ever documentary on Christian Valley  affectionately called the Pearl of the South.

The students who formed the backdrop to the shoot, were engaged in five main activities, among which includes, a trail to the waterfall, tree –planting , soil sifting, and orchard tours with gave each group an opportunity to identified the 25 varieties of commercial mangoes.

The documentary which was organised, by the Mangofest public relations committee is to sensitize the populace about, rich and checkered history of Christian Valley, which, is hidden away in the forested folds of the Shekerly Mountain Range  .

The documentary, which will premiere on National Mango Day, August 13, 2010,   is expected to highlight the rich history of Christian Valley, which, boast a 40 acres orchard of mango, citrus fruits, avocado, guava, Malay apple, cashew, breadfruit, sour sop, and many curious tropical fruits.  Mango the interviewees were Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment, Food Scientist Elyse Petersen, Plant Protection Officer Dr. Janil Gore-Edwards,  Director of Agriculture Jedidiah Maxime, Stations Cordinator Dandridge Joseph, Forestry Officer Adriel Thibou, Tourism Officer Caudley George, Ken Shipley Searc h Antigua  And Permanent Secretary Clarence Pilgrim.

Earlier this year the PRO committee of Mangofest made the first documentary highlighting the uniqueness of the national fruit the “Black” pineapple. It is currently being aired on local television.

Other interviews among the Minister of Tourism John Maginley, Director of Tourism Corthright Marshall, Ivor Jackson Chairman Mount Obama Committee, Julie –Ann Laudat, IICA Technical Specialist, and Carmen Payne President of the Agro -Processors Association are scheduled for a later this month.

The documentary, shooting began along the road into Christian Valley, and brought to life the encounters, the ruin of the colonial sugar estate house of Blubber Valley, which, dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, with the surrounding hills which served as a refuge for a society of escaped African slaves, known to history as maroons. Maroon trails are still used today by foresters and farmers.

Special Emphasis, was placed  on the development of the area into a Centre of Excellence and preservations of Orchards – Major Fruits such as (1) Mangoes Various – Varieties (gene pool for propagation) Varieties – Juice, Edward, Eldon, Pinero, Irwin, Francise, Imperial, Kent, Kitt, Ruby, Early Gold, Tommy Atkins, Palmers, Sensation, Haden, Kidney- John Peter and Dominica, Num-doc-mai.

Meantime, another mangofest activity, in which the Eco-Zone Campers will be taking Centre-stage, is the “Mango Mania Day”, set for July 30-Th. Among the activities enlisted for their involvement are mango and spoon races, Mango popping competition, mango eating competitions, and shack –shack race.  The highlight of the day is the Mango Cook-Off among the four groups of campers, who would be preparing mango punch, mango salad, mango cake, mango crumble, and mango salsa chicken, respectively.

The Mango Fest Public Relations Committee wish to thank all the interviewees and participants in both the pineapple and Christian Valley Documentary.

For further information contact: Onika.campbell@gmail.com

St. Johns, Antigua, July 6, 2010 … The Magic Mango Culinary Competition which forms part of the annual Christian Valley Mangofest has recorded an increase in chefs’ participation.

But, Madeleine McComas, Chairperson of the Magic Mango Culinary Competition says, although the bartenders’ competition showed a decline from 11 to six, she is optimistic that the initiative will continue to boost its “high standards.”

According to McComas, “the Mango Pineapple Menu Professional Chefs and Bartenders Competition is a food and drink extravaganza that is held every year as part of the Mango Festival celebrations, and it is open to the public.”

Explaining the process, the sub –committee chairperson noted, “each, chef is required to prepare two dishes featuring mangoes and pineapples, and they are judged in the kitchen by a panel of three experienced chefs.” She added further that separate panels of judges are set –up for presentation, taste and harmony of each dish.

In the meanwhile, bartenders, she added, are also required to prepare two drinks featuring mangoes and pineapples.

They are non-alcoholic beverage and an alcoholic cocktail, respectively.

The bartenders are judged on taste, methodology and bar practices and skills.

The competitions comprising 20 chefs and 6 bartenders are representing Carlisle Bay Resort, Galley Bay Resort, Hermitage Bay Resort, Sugar Ridge, The Beach Restaurant, Curtain Bluff Hotel, Blue Waters Antigua, The Tides Restaurant and Bay House Restaurant at Trade Winds Hotel, respectively.

McComas noted that, for the first time, “Student chefs from the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute have been accepted into the competition. Student chefs will compete on an equal basis with the professionals, and it will be interesting to see where they place in the competition.”

She emphasized that “the contestants’ dishes and drinks will be presented for public viewing as they complete their entries. You won’t be able to taste, but, you can view the astonishing variety of dishes and drinks produced by talented chefs and bartenders from the top restaurants, hotels and resorts in Antigua.”

The Magic Mango Culinary Competition is scheduled for Saturday, August 7 at the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute, from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The activity is opened to the public.

Residents are also invited to participate in the National Mango Day, set for August 13 and the Christian Valley Mango Festival on August 14 & 15.

The mango festival is a collaborative effort by the ministries of agriculture and tourism, geared towards strengthening the agro-tourism linkages.

Under the mantra “bigger, better, more diverse” the Christian Valley Mango Festival 2010 committee has mobilized its promotional machinery at the global level.

Christian Valley Mango Festival is being promoting the festival, in the United Kingdom, United States and regionally.

Christian Valley Today

More than 180 metric tonne of tropical fruits was imported in 1999, and so Christian Valley’s job of improving local production to meet demand is far from complete.  Additionally, the station propagates ornamentals, flowers and a lot of different types of plants in its nursery.  Additionally seedlings, plants and fruits can be purchased at very affordable prices at Christian Valley.

Christian Valley Station, The Pearl of the South
Hidden away in the forested folds of the Shekerly Mountain Range of southern Antigua, Christian Valley Station is the country’s premiere collection of mature fruit tree varieties.

Here, the average rainfall of more than 50 inches per annum is twenty percent higher than the national average, lies a 40 acre orchard of mango, citrus fruits, avocado, guava, Malay apple, cashew, breadfruit, sour sop, and many curious tropical fruits.

Mango fest 2010 Line-up

April   26th
Fruit –off Among Schools

May 6th

Mango Festival Launch

May 20th

Pineapple Awareness Day

August 7

Magic Mango/Pineapple Culinary Competition, ABTHA, Dutchman’s Bay

For Further information contact Onika Campbell at onika.campbell@gmail.com

Ministry Of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment

Independence Drive, St. Johns:

Telephone: 462-1007
462-1008
462-1009

Hotels Serving Pineapple Dishes on Menu:
Hemming Way
Galley Bay
Big Banana
Commissioners Grill
School Meals Programme
Mamma Lolly