BVI Students Bring "a Taste of the
Four BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship students — Travis Thomas, Kimberly Cordez, Zyra Creque and Shamorie Glasgow — represented the Virgin Islands at the 23rd Hong Kong Winter Food Festival held at the Hong Kong Exhibition & Conference Centre from 25–29 December 2025. They staffed Kepstar Trading’s lone Caribbean booth under the theme “A Taste of the Caribbean,” serving regional favourites and promoting Caribbean brands while gaining practical cultural and public-facing experience.
Four students from the British Virgin Islands participated in the 23rd Hong Kong Winter Food Festival as cultural ambassadors for the Territory and the wider Caribbean from 25–29 December 2025. The students — Travis Thomas, Kimberly Cordez, Zyra Creque and Shamorie Glasgow — are studying in Hong Kong and Macau under the BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme, the Government of the Virgin Islands confirmed.
The Winter Food Festival, held at the Hong Kong Exhibition & Conference Centre, is a bi-annual gastronomic event that brings together a diverse array of local and international cuisines and attracts both Chinese and international travellers, according to a Government of the Virgin Islands release.
Under the theme “A Taste of the Caribbean,” the students helped staff Hong Kong’s lone Caribbean booth, run by Kepstar Trading. Kepstar’s stall showcased familiar Caribbean favourites such as jerk chicken, patties, pastelles and sorrel, and served cocktails featuring sponsors Angostura Rum and Blue Mountain Coffee.
The company also promoted the sale of its exclusive Caribbean seasonings, spices, sauces, drinks and other food products, putting regional ingredients at the heart of the showcase (Government of the Virgin Islands). The BVI Hong Kong Office organised the students’ participation to give scholarship recipients practical exposure while studying in Asia.
Wheatley, Director of the BVI Hong Kong Office, attended the festival in support of the students and said participation in events like the Winter Food Festival allows students to serve as cultural ambassadors for not just the BVI, but the whole Caribbean (Government of the Virgin Islands).
Students welcomed visitors, explained flavours and products to an international audience, and shared Caribbean hospitality in a hands-on way. Organisers and the Government said the assignment offered practical experience in cultural and culinary diplomacy, helping the students develop communication and public-facing skills while promoting the Territory overseas.
The exhibition also raised the BVI’s profile among international travellers in a major Asian market and exposed Caribbean food products and brands to new audiences, creating potential commercial links for local producers. Local media coverage of the visit was updated to include additional reporting by BVI Platinum, which confirmed the students helped run Hong Kong’s lone Caribbean booth and highlighted their role serving island favourites and sharing Caribbean culture with festival-goers in late December.
Reporting in this article draws on a Government of the Virgin Islands announcement, a BVI Hong Kong Office press release reported by VINO, and updated coverage from BVI Platinum. Prospective students interested in the BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme for 2026–2027 can contact the BVI Hong Kong Office at studyinasia@bvihongkongoffice.com.hk.
For international media enquiries the Government lists BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com as a contact (Government of the Virgin Islands).
Primary source: VINO