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ST. THOMAS — An assortment of triumphant cooks went home with prizes at the end of the University of the Virgin Islands Afternoon on the Green (AOTG) festivities held Sunday, March 19, on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on the St. Thomas Campus. Awards were presented to some 50 volunteers who prepared meals to serve to community members. The event is UVI’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds going to the Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship Fund.

“AOTG’s judging template has been uniquely designed to demonstrate remarkable local culinary excellence,” said Kyza Callwood, MPA, CEA, co-chair of the Afternoon on the Green Committee. “With the aim of showcasing and identifying high quality dishes along with tasty, innovative drinks, AOTG’s food and drink competition continues to promote the best of the best among local cooks.”

Attendees voted via paper ballot and a special text number set up by event sponsor, AT&T. Judges determined first, second and third place winners in a variety of categories from main dishes to seafood entrees, desserts, soups, and native drinks.

Elbert A. Petersen received first prize in the overall award category for texting and ballot as well as top texting for his Grilled Chicken in Island Spice Barbeque Sauce. Petersen won a trip for two to St. Croix from 104.3 The Buzz, round trip tickets to the British Virgin Islands on Smith Ferry, and a galaxy tablet from AT&T.

Second prize in the “Overall People’s Choice” category went to Willie’s Caribbean Escape for Goat Water. Willie’s Caribbean Escape also won third prize for Peas Soup with Turkey Neck.

First place winners in all categories received a beach chair, second place winners received a lunch cooler and third place winners received a towel, all in green with the Afternoon on the Green logo.

Two Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship awards were presented, one to Charlotte Amalie High School senior, Dystanie Smalls, and the other to Kirsha Jeffers, a junior majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management at UVI.

“The twenty-eighth annual Afternoon on the Green was a great success due largely to the community of cooks that came together with their delicious foods and native drinks,” said AOTG Co-chair Loretta Lloyd. “The event featured a vegetarian tent for the first time, and there was great entertainment for people of all ages. The many community-minded sponsors and donors who came out to support the cause gave so willingly of their time and resources.”

Afternoon on the Green 2017 Winners

Overall People’s Choice

1^st Prize – Grilled Chicken in Island Spice BBQ Sauce
2^nd Prize – Goat Water, Willie’s Caribbean Escape
3^rd Prize – Peas Soup with Turkey Neck, Willie’s Caribbean Escape

Pastries and Sweets

1^st Prize – Flavored Cupcakes, Dorian J. Hairston
2^nd Prize – Tarts (guava, pineapple, coconut), Cora Thomas-Cranston
3^rd Prize – Lena’s Love That Cheesecake, Lena Steele Williams

Main Dishes/Meats/Poultry

1^st Prize – Grilled Chicken in Island Spice BBQ Sauce, Elbert A. Petersen
2^nd Prize – Tasty Rice & Chicken, Esmerelda Mollineau
3^rd Prize – Smothered Meatballs, Patrick Simeon Sprauve and Janice Bussue-Sprauve

Side Dishes

1^st Prize – Banana Fritters, Ellen Murraine
2^nd Prize – Pumpkin Fritters, Ellen Murraine
3^rd Prize – Sweet Corn Awesomeness, Sean Georges

Vegetables and Casseroles

1^st Prize – WUVI FM 97.3 Lasagna (veggie), Alex Randall
2^nd Prize – Vegetarian Pinion (lasagna with plantains), Beverly Jennings
3^rd Prize – Buddah Bowl (with spicy peanut butter sauce), Luke Church

Seafood

1^st Prize – Pan Seared Salmon with Avocado Salad, Stedmann Hodge
2^nd Prize – Brigo’s Firehouse Salmon, Arthur Raymo III
3^rd Prize – Salmon Casserole, Patricia Philip

Soups

1^st Prize – Goat Water, Willie’s Caribbean Escape
2^nd Prize – Peas Soup with Turkey Neck, Willie’s Caribbean Escape
3^rd Prize – Red Peas Soup with Pork, Stedmann Hodge

Breads

1^st Prize – Josie’s Banana Bread, Josephine Humphreys
2^nd Prize – Pumpkin Spice Bread, Juste Tropicals

Native Drinks

1^st Prize – Popeye’s Revenge, Marquis Aubain
2^nd Prize – Sizzling Sorrel, Elridge Thomas
3^rd Prize – Cool Breeze, Marquis Aubain; Ginger Pineapple, James Fredericks; Ginger Beer, Barbara Maynard

Afternoon on the Green Co-Chairs Kyza Callwood and Loretta Lloyd thanked all of the AOTG sponsors for their support. The AOTG 2017 was sponsored by Plaza Extra, Moe’s Fresh Market, 104.3 The Buzz, VI Council on the Arts, Thrive Chiropractic, West Indian Company Limited, Water and Power Authority, AT&T, First Bank, Coca-Cola, Caribbean Auto Group, St. Thomas Federal Credit Union, Pro Solar, MSI, Merchants Commercial Bank, Goya, Therapy Works and Dominos.