ST. THOMAS — At just 13 years old, Amayah G. Leader, a student at V.I. Montessori School on St. Thomas, earned third place in the 2026 Food, Wine & Rum Junior Chef Competition in the British Virgin Islands, competing against five other young chefs and preparing meals for guests, including regional dignitaries.
Amayah, also known as “Amayah's Lemonade,” was the youngest female competitor in the six-contestant field, according to her family. The competition was held during the Village Cay and Rhythm & Sands Food, Wine & Rum Festival, which brought together aspiring chefs from across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
The young chef represented V.I. Montessori School, while other U.S. Virgin Islands participants included students from the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center, commonly known as the Skill Center, and the University of the Virgin Islands' St. Croix campus.
Throughout the competition, Amayah worked under the guidance of Chef Dunn Wiltshire of UVI St. Croix, who served as a mentor to the young chefs. According to the family's account, Mr. Wiltshire initially intended to compete in the festival but instead decided to mentor the younger participants.
The competition began Friday, October 16, at Village Cay, where participants were challenged to prepare dishes using ingredients from a mystery basket. The selection included mahi-mahi, pork, chicken, coffee, mango and pineapple, requiring the young chefs to demonstrate creativity and teamwork.
Amayah and her fellow competitors helped prepare meals for more than 60 guests during Friday's event. Among those she had the opportunity to cook for, according to her family, were Dame Sandra Mason, Barbados' first president, who served from 2021 to 2025, and British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley.
After tasting Amayah's food on Friday, Premier Wheatley reportedly offered a humorous compliment.
“I didn't want to embarrass myself. That's why I didn't lick my plate!” he remarked, according to the family.
The competition continued Saturday on Scrub Island, where the young chefs presented their signature dishes and helped prepare meals for approximately 150 guests.
Their culinary creations were evaluated by a three-member judging panel, including representatives from Tortola and Scrub Island and Chef Durant from St. Thomas.
Amayah ultimately secured third place in the competition, earning recognition alongside the other participating young chefs during the festival's closing activities.
The event was organized by Village Cay under the leadership of Wendell King, with activities extending from the opening evening at Village Cay to the culinary showcase on Scrub Island and a closing celebration at Pier Park.
Amayah's family celebrated the achievement, describing the experience as an opportunity for her to develop her culinary abilities, work alongside experienced chefs and build confidence competing beyond the territory.
Her mother expressed particular appreciation for Chef Wiltshire's mentorship, V.I. Montessori School's support and the organizers who provided opportunities for young culinary talent to compete.
Amayah returns home today with a third-place finish and experience preparing food for large gatherings, working with professional chefs and representing her school and the U.S. Virgin Islands in a regional culinary competition.
