The U.S. Virgin Islands Culinary Team will represent the territory at the 2025 Taste of the Caribbean competition in Barbados from Nov. 16-18, a press release from the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association announced.
The annual event, hosted by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, brings together top chefs, pastry artists and bartenders from across the region to showcase their skills in a series of culinary challenges, according to the press release.
Executive Chef Brady Sweet, owner of Café Amici; Pastry Chef Azamat Sabyrkulov of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas; and Bartender Kealoni “KJ” Richards, lead mixologist at Ambiance Cocktail Lounge, will represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in this year’s competition, the press release stated.
“For 14 years, our culinary team has raised the bar higher, and this year is no exception,” said USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton. “With the incredible talent and dedication of Brady, Azamat and KJ, the USVI Culinary Team is ready to make its mark and bring home the gold.”
Chef Brady Sweet’s Record-Breaking Journey
This marks Sweet’s first year on the team. A seasoned pizza artisan, he once earned a Guinness World Record for creating the “world’s largest calzone” before relocating to St. Thomas about a decade ago. Sweet has served as chef de cuisine at Havana Blue and Sandbar, co-owned Café Amici after hurricanes Irma and Maria, and later became executive chef and partner at PRIME at Paradise Point. His latest venture, Sweet Hospitality VI, has revived Café Amici under his ownership and reclaimed his world record calzone title for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pastry Chef Azamat Sabyrkulov’s International Flair
Returning for his second year, international pastry chef Azamat Sabyrkulov brings a wealth of global experience. Originally from Kazakhstan, he has worked at The Ajman Saray in Dubai and The Ritz-Carlton, Abu Dhabi Grand Canal. Now leading the pastry team at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Sabyrkulov is a decorated artisan who earned first place at the 2016 World Skills Kazakhstan Pastry Competition. He holds a degree in hospitality management from the Hospitality Management Professional Technical College in Astana and specializes in cake artistry and chocolate design.
Bartender “KJ” Richards Brings St. Croix Spirit
St. Croix native Kealoni “KJ” Richards joins the team for the first time. His culinary career began in 2014 as a dishwasher before advancing through St. Croix’s kitchens and into the craft cocktail scene. After working at BES Craft Cocktail Lounge, Richards shifted his focus to mixology, refining his skills at venues including Levels, El León (now Harbour Prime), Sion Farm Distillery by Mutiny and Hamilton’s Bar. His signature style blends creativity, balance, and warmth — “each sip embodies craft, creativity, and connection,” he said, describing his approach as “a lot of love and a little magic.”
Community and Sponsor Support
The USVIHTA, which has sponsored the territory’s team for 14 years, credited the success of the program to its sponsors, who help fund travel, accommodations, training and competition expenses. This year’s sponsors include: Platinum – USVI Tourism Department; Gold – Cruzan Rum; Bronze – The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort; and Donors – Cape Air and Global Solutions.
The Taste of the Caribbean competition will be held alongside the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, where hospitality professionals and industry partners will gather to celebrate Caribbean cuisine and discuss current trends in tourism and hospitality.
