Two Atlanta Chefs Bring Mouth-Watering Talents to St. Croix

Divi Carina Bay Offers Travelers "Tasty Package" for Renowned Taste of St. Croix

Chapel Hill, NC (April 9, 2008) - Two of Atlanta's finest chefs, Gerry Klaskala and Kevin Rathbun, head to the Caribbean to bring their skills to the Divi Carina Bay resort as it once again plays host to the Taste of St. Croix, inarguably the island's most anticipated, best attended and most delicious event. Klaskala and Rathbun will judge the April 17 event alongside other celebrity chefs from around the United States. The annual tasting and culinary competition at the Divi, attended by nearly a thousand people, highlights the diverse and delectable cuisine of St. Croix with its influences from around the world. Taste of St. Croix is part of the four-day St. Croix Food & Wine Experience, which includes dinners hosted by the chefs, wine seminars and a wine auction.

For travelers seeking a way to join the festivities, The Divi Carina Bay offers a "Tasty Package" for two, which includes a four-day, three-night stay at the resort with breakfast daily, two tickets to the Taste of St. Croix, and a couple's massage at the on-site Surfside Spa*.

As one of the nation's most critically acclaimed restaurant chefs, Gerry Klaskala has earned a reputation for award-winning, contemporary American cuisine. His company, We're Cookin' Inc., owns Aria, as well as Canoe and Che Tapas & Rum Bar, all in Atlanta. Previously, Klaskala was the chef and managing partner at Buckhead Diner, one of Atlanta's highest volume restaurants.

Chef Kevin Rathbun - the visionary owner of three of Atlanta's most acclaimed restaurants, Rathbun's, Krog Bar, and Kevin Rathbun Steak - has worked with celebrity chefs and restaurateurs such as Emeril Lagasse, Bradley Ogden and Stephen Pyles. Selected as the 2007 Rising Star Chef and nicknamed the "Sultan of Steak" by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Rathbun's restaurants have earned prestigious titles including "Best New Steakhouse in the US" by Details Magazine and "Top New Restaurants in the Country" by Esquire Magazine.

Other judges for this year's competition include celebrity chefs Rocco DiSpirito, of TV's "The Restaurant" fame and a James Beard Award winner; Richard Reddington, owner of Redd in Yountville, California, and Robbin Haas, a Food & Wine "Best New Chef" winner. Taste of St. Croix benefits the St. Croix foundation and fosters economic and social development on the island.