Saint Lucia showcases flavours with top chef Nina Compton

The flavours of Saint Lucia have been tempting Canadians to visit the destination throughout the past week, thanks to initiatives taking place with the island's top chef and culinary ambassador, Nina Compton.

Last weekend, Compton was on hand for the Ottawa Food and Wine show, plus she hosted an event as Guest Chef at Navarra, the restaurant owned by 2014 Top Chef Canada winner Chef Rene Rodriguez. She then made her way to Toronto, where she prepared a wonderful three-course meal featuring the island's cocoa for travel trade partners last evening, giving guests "a taste of Saint Lucia."

"I'm sure most of you know Saint Lucia is a fabulous destination - warm, sunny, golden beaches, crystal clear waters, beautiful rainforests - but there is a lot more to our destination and the culinary aspect is one that we want you to know about," said Tracey Warner-Arnold, deputy director, The Saint Lucia Tourism Office. "You can experience four-star, five-star dining, European and Caribbean fusion in Saint Lucia at our hotels and restaurants, or you can experience street food or seafood - there is such a cross-section of unique culinary experiences in Saint Lucia, and that's what we wanted to showcase here tonight."

The dinner started with a spiced chocolate soup with foie gras and baby vegetables, followed by the entree of cocoa braised shortribs, polenta and baby vegetables, and was finished off with pumpkin bandino, salted carmel and chocolate crumble.

Compton is making her way through a media blitz in Ontario, which will also include an appearance on CTV's The Social, where she will be interviewed by fellow Saint Lucian Traci Melchor.

Photo: Alison Theodore, regional marketing manager, Saint Lucia Tourism Office; Tracey Warner-Arnold, deputy director, The Saint Lucia Tourism Office; Chef Nina Compton; Cindy Gerhardt, product buyer, WestJet; & Clive Farmer, the BodyHoliday