SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - With a symbolic St. Maarten Flavors check of US $ 12,233, National Culinary Team coach Renata de Weever was notified today of the total funds raised by the 2022 St. Maarten Flavors program, to enable a new team of St. Maarten’s culinary talent to participate in the prestigious “Taste of the Caribbean” competition in Miami in 2023.

The amount raised was announced today by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), in conjunction with main 2022 St. Maarten Flavors supporters, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), PDG Supplies and Rainforest Adventure Park.

Throughout the month of November 2022, 49 St. Maarten restaurants, bars and gelaterias designated a “signature dish” of either three courses or one course for both residents and visitors to experience at a highly reduced price of either $49 or $17.50. The goal of the St. Maarten Flavors program is to reconfirm St. Maarten on the map for food lovers around the world, invite visitors and locals to immerse themselves in the dynamic food scene of the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” at an accessible price point and to give local restaurants a platform to showcase their diverse creations.

The event served as a fundraiser to get a national St. Maarten Team to the prestigious “Taste of the Caribbean” competition in Miami. The” Taste of the Caribbean” food show is not just a great learning experience for local culinary talent, but also functions as a platform to put the Caribbean and its destinations in the spotlight in the Miami metropolitan area and throughout the United States, St. Maarten’s core tourism market. The final date for “Taste of the Caribbean” still needs to be announced by its host the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, but it is confirmed to take place in 2023.

Renata de Weever was the team captain of a successful national St. Maarten team participating in 2017. The team returned with nine medals in total. “Having led the 2017 delegation, I know both the benefits and the costs of national presence at this competition. Whereas the benefit of talents competing in this high-end tradeshow is everlasting for St. Maarten culinary talent’s personal growth, the costs of subscription to the event, lodging, travel, and training are considerable. We have a great first start with this fundraiser and I thank all restaurants, sponsors, auction contributors and especially visitors of 2022’s St. Maarten Flavors month, for giving destination St. Maarten a kickstart towards sending a new culinary team to Miami in 2023.” De Weever currently is sous-chef at the renowned SALT restaurant of Morgan Resort, as well as department leader Culinary at the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA). As captain of the most successful St. Maarten culinary team to date, she accepted the offer this January to coach and help select a new team for the first Taste of the Caribbean to take place in four years.

A December 2022 restaurant survey showed that the St. Maarten Flavors program contributed in well over $200,000 worth of signature dishes and accompanying drinks for St. Maarten restaurants. This estimate does not include visitors choosing other dishes than those advertised by the campaign. When asked if the event should be repeated, all 35 survey participants responded positively. Therefore, the SHTA and partner STB launched “Appeteaser Week” to enjoy the St. Maarten Flavors concept for a week-long from June 15 – June 24. New to the concept is the St. Maarten Flavors Feast on June 17^th, a one-day food show where participating restaurants will provide “teasers” of their signature dishes served during the week in June.

The funds raised were made possible by a public auction of hotel weeks, activities, and retail products on www.stmaartenflavors.com, as well as sponsorships. Next to key sponsors, STB, PDG Supplies and Rainforest Adventure Park, SHTA thanks the important support of SolGas, Caribbean Liquors & Tobacco (CLT), PRIME, Island 92, VISIT St. Maarten, SXM Talks, Trakx and 104 Radio. In addition, it thanks the following companies contributing to the auction making the amount raised possible: Alicia’s Inn, Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store, Aqua Mania Adventures, Awareness in Business, Azure Hotel, Belair Beach Hotel, Caribbean Weeks, Del Mar Boutique, Désirée Winkel, Dive Sint Maarten, Divi Little Bay Resort, Dutch Blonde Beach Bar, IRE Vacation, Keijzer Computers, Kooyman, L’esperance Hotel, Oyster Bay Resort, Prominent Properties, Random Wind Charters, Sapphire Beach Club, Simpson Bay Resort & Marina, Sint Maarten Yacht Club, The Morgan Resort, Trisport and Zhaveri.

Finally, SHTA thanks the restaurants, bars and gelaterias taking part in 2022’s St. Maarten Flavors for making this first edition a success.

Restaurants interested in participating in “St Maarten Flavors Feast”, “June Appeteaser Week” and “St. Maarten Flavors” in November can contact the SHTA office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / www.stmaartenflavors.com or contact by phone at 542-0108 for all details.

SHTA calls on volunteers wanting to help getting St. Maarten’s culinary word out to the world to subscribe to its volunteer program. Foodies interested in the 2023 St. Maarten Flavors Appeteaser Week food show and November events are invited to take part in the dedicated St. Maarten Flavors newsletter via the same e-mail address.

SINT MAARTEN (COMMENTARY By Quincy Rochester) - Treating and paying workers fairly is not only morally right but also makes good business sense. When workers are treated well, they are more likely to be productive and motivated, leading to increased profitability and improved morale within the company.

To ensure that workers are treated and paid fairly, employers can:

Establish clear and transparent employment policies: Clearly communicate job responsibilities, work schedules, and compensation structures to employees.

Provide competitive wages and benefits: Ensure that employee wages and benefits are fair and competitive within the industry.

Provide a safe and healthy working environment: Ensure that the workplace is safe and free from hazards, and that employees have access to necessary equipment and resources.

Encourage open communication: Encourage open communication between management and employees, allowing workers to voice concerns or issues without fear of retaliation.

Offer training and development opportunities: Provide opportunities for employees to improve their skills and knowledge through training and development programs.

By implementing these practices, employers can create a work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and fairly compensated for their contributions. This, in turn, can lead to improved job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and higher levels of productivity and profitability.

Quincy Rochester 

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Christophe Emmanuel has written to Minister of VSA Omar Ottley seeking factual and transparent information regarding the ongoing and long-delayed St. Maarten General Hospital.

The Minister, Emmanuel said, continues to speak in parables when it comes to the construction of the hospital. MP Emmanuel said nobody knows exactly when the people of St. Maarten will actually get a new hospital which, at its current pace, could take more than an additional five to six years.

"The Minister's latest statement is that he is not satisfied with the construction. After I pointed out over and over again that something is amiss. The Minister also touted an improvement from about 15 workers to about 43 workers at the hospital site. The question is what difference has the increase in workers made on the project? It is still in the same shape,” MP Emmanuel said.

He noted that the project is still on the basement and foundation level, the same it has been for five years. "It took five years to get 45 people to work on the project, how long will it take to get 100 people there? That is the Minister's target. The Minister said until FINSO puts 100 people on the project, government will be reluctant to grant whatever permits FINSO needs. Really? And then what?"

The MP continued: "Can the government even do that legally? If you don't grant the permits needed, are you not further delaying the project? Why has FINSO not been able to hire people even after additional financial injections of millions of dollars? Is FINSO in financial problems? What were FINSO's deliverables before the so-called renegotiation of the initial contract? Did they meet their deliverables? What are the new deliverables now? What penalties are in place if FINSO do not meet deadlines? When can the people of St. Maarten realistically expect their hospital to be completed?"

MP Emmanuel said there are so many questions to be answered but the Minister is still walking in circles and speaking in parables instead of being straight with the people. “The Minister said last week that, and I quote, 'the amendment to the contract has been signed. Now, there are some technical aspects that are being handled as far as designs and who will take care of what, end quote.

"What on earth does this mean? What does this amendment entail and why was it needed? Has the design changed? Are we getting what was promised and shown in videos? How does all of this play into the persistent delay of the project?"

"This was the fourth amendment to this contract and FINSO in the meantime are completing hospitals and other works all over the world. Those projects do not seem to be affected by conflict in Europe, only on tiny St. Maarten. Every time you look up, FINSO is asking for more money. The Minister has to come clean, put FINSO's feet to the fire and be transparent with the Parliament and the people of St. Maarten," MP Emmanuel concluded.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - Prominent Leader from the United Sint Maarten (US) party Mrs. Pamela Gordon Carty Highlights Need for Dignity, Morals, and Values in Sint Maarten's Festivities

With deep concern and disappointment, I address the public to express my dissatisfaction with the recent carnival season. As a mother, a female leader, a businesswoman, and a devoted patriot of Sint Maarten, I feel compelled to question the loss of dignity, respect, self-pride, and humility that were once inherent in our people. We have reached a point where good is deemed evil and vice versa. Sint Maarten has become synonymous with promoting and glorifying the wrong aspects of our culture, constantly highlighting the undesirable elements.

Fellow citizens of Sint Maarten, we must acknowledge that we have a substantial amount of work to do if we wish to transform our country into a place that our children can look up to with pride. There is a time and place for everything in life, and the recent events during this carnival season should serve as a wake-up call for us to unite and restore order for the sake of future generations. Women, you hold a pivotal role as pillars of our society, shaping the moral compass and values of the next generation. Let us not forget our responsibility. We must not participate in actions simply because others do; instead, we should be the guardians of integrity and set real guidelines for the next carnival season and any other public event.

Carnival is meant to be a parade where the entire community can gather with their young children, enjoying a spectacle that upholds cultural pride and tradition. However, what transpired this year was far from the intended purpose. The costumes lacked modesty, and the display of morals and true cultural identity was virtually nonexistent. We witnessed a distressing lack of respect, as well as behavior that crossed the boundaries of what is acceptable for a family-oriented event. This is not the example we should be setting for our young ones said the leader of the US party Mrs. Pamela Gordon Carty.

The current state of our carnival festivities is far too liberal, pushing the limits of what is appropriate for Sint Maarten. We must cease imitating others and rediscover our own unique identity as a people. We cannot allow slackness to be the downfall of our beloved country, where anything and everything is accepted without consideration for the consequences. Sint Maarten, it is evident that this time we have crossed the line. The stakeholders involved in organizing this cultural event must reconsider their approach, or else the public expects to witness significant degrading behaviors in future events.

While healthy enjoyment and celebration are important, we cannot applaud the degradation that has become prevalent in our festivities said Mrs. Pamela Gordon Carty leader of the US party. It is precisely this lack of accountability and the turning of blind eyes that lead to the decline of a nation. To those adults who condone the exposure of their children, I implore you to consider the rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, and child sexual abuse. We cannot continue to be the authors of such detrimental trends. As grown women, it is essential to conduct ourselves on public roads in a manner expected of us, demonstrating self-respect and setting a positive example for the young girls silently looking up to us. Yes we all know no one is perfect we all have our flaws but degrading behavior should not be one of those flaws. Also pushing liberalism has to be limited as we as a country has yet to show if we want to embrace certain behaviors openly in public. We love all human beings but there is still a list of behavior that we despise.

And to the men, I remind you that while you indulge in the season's visual pleasures, remember that you were born of a woman. Let us not abuse this privilege but instead use it responsibly. Men you still play an important role in the upbringing of our children. Serve as that positive example.

For the betterment of Sint Maarten, let us contribute to a future that our children can thrive in. Carnival is an occasion for the entire country to come together, but we must bear in mind that children will be present at these public event. It is imperative to establish a separate teenage parade with strict dress codes, allowing children the space to grow without interference. The age of participation in the adult parade should be set at 18 and above, ensuring that the costumes are predominantly covered and age-appropriate.

“Sint Maarten, we must strive for excellence and surpass the current state of affairs. Together, we can build a brighter future for our beloved country and its children. Let’s all do our part, not for me nor for you but for the next generations to come,” said the leader of US party Mrs. Pamela Gordon Carty.