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Restaurant FAQs

Part I: Tickets & Wristbands: Entry Into the Taste

Taste tickets are $95 each. VIP tickets are available in limited quantities until sold out. Stay tuned for ticket information at www.tasteofstcroix.com.

All participants are allowed 3 free tickets and may purchase up to 2 more at half price. Half price tickets are $47.50 each.  Additional tickets can be purchased through our office (based on availability) and online. Visit www.tasteofstcroix.com for more information.

Please bring cash (exact change) or check to orientation to pay for your extra tickets. REMEMBER to make checks payable to “Taste of St. Croix”.

You will receive your wristbands and extra tickets at Taste Orientation, held March 29th, 30th, and 31st, in the St. Croix Foundation Conference Room at 1023 Market Street, Christiansted, 2nd Floor. This is the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before the week of the Taste. At that time, you can pick up your wristbands and extra tickets. You will be contacted before orientation to give you specific times and directions.

Part II : Food & Supplies – Preparing for the Event

  • Remember that space is limited, so you will want to be sure your appliance fits on or underneath the table.
  • Electricity is provided by Divi and through generators stationed throughout the event. You will have access to an outlet; however, you will be sharing with your neighboring booths! Do not forget to bring extension cords.

We provide a sign with your establishment’s name; however, you may want to bring something that is more individualized as we use the same template for the sign for each booth.

Yes, we provide a skirted tablecloth through Reliable Rentals. These are nice linens, so never use a stapler or glue to decorate your table! When the Taste is over, leave the tablecloth on the booth table exactly how you found it.

Of course! Judges will tour booths between 5:30-5:45 and judge Best Presentation—be creative and feel free to promote your restaurant. Many restaurants go simple, while others go all out!

We recommend that you bring an extra supply with you, but Taste will provide you with a quantity of napkins and utensils (that fit the dishes you are serving) at Restaurant Orientation (April 2nd-5th). We also have a supply area with extras during the event.

As a matter of fact, not only is Taste of St. Croix free to participate we give you $50 coupons to be redeemed at your favorite farm or at our Taste of St. Croix Farmers market Monday April 3rd (time and venue TBA) We give every restaurant that commits to serving until the end of the event an additional $250 stipend.  We disperse ½ at registration and the other ½ the night of the event if your booth is still open and serving food at 8:30.

Bring enough bite-size samples for 1000 people to enjoy and to make sure you get the word out about your amazing cuisine! Remember, the event is from 6 – 9pm!

Yes. When you pick up your registration packet you need to let us know what you are serving including the main ingredients and name of the dish. This information will be on a sign above your table so guests can see what you are serving, this will save a lot of time explaining the dish over and over as well as allowing the guest an overview of what to expect. 

Part III: Setting Up & During the Event

There will be Restaurant Ambassadors assigned to your area. They will be available during setup and until 7:30 PM to help with any questions you may have. They will be wearing name badges identifying themselves as Restaurant Ambassadors.

Use the table assigned to you and please do not move any tables! The layout for the Taste is in the program for guests to follow and find you!

The gates open to the public at 6:00 PM so be set up and ready to go no later than 5:30 PM.

After 2PM. Please use the side entrances and avoid the lobby! If you have a hotel room, check in, identify your room, and then use a side entrance to bring supplies in!

Part IV: All About Judging 

No problem! You don’t have to enter a judging category to participate in Taste of St. Croix, many businesses just want to be involved in a fun community event.

Go to the main stage at Taste located at Caravelle Hotel, and be prepared to have your photo snapped!

Winners are announced between 8:30-9:00pm.  Listen carefully for your restaurant’s name! If you miss the announcements, check social media!

You will be given your judging time at orientation.

This is your chance to use your own plate, bowl, or special glass for a professional photo. Photography is separate from judging, so bring one extra, full-size portion of your dish to the Photography Table, which will be adjacent to the Judging Area. Be sure to wait and take your dish after it is photographed.

There are 3 judges who sit at every category and they each receive their own sample. You need to prepare three identical samples of the same dish for each category you join.

Taste will provide you with bowls and plates for your samples at Taste Orientation. We will make sure you receive the appropriate dish for your entry.

You must reserve your category when you register for Taste. There is a maximum of 20 entries per category and reservations are first come, first serve. We recommend you register early to reserve the category(ies) you want! You can change your category up to Restaurant Orientation (March 29-31) if there are spaces available in the category you want to change into. If a category is full, stay in your reserved space and take on the challenge!

You can enter up to two categories. Can I enter two different dishes in one category? You may only enter a category once!

Appetizer, Entrée, Soup/Stew, Dessert, Beverage, Vegetarian, and Local Fare.

Booths are judged for Best Presentation from 5:30pm to 5:55pm, however, it is recommended you are prepared well in advance!

Part V: After the Event

Yes! Participants in the Taste may dance the night away at any of our four Taste ’18 after parties.

Please take everything that you came with and dispose of trash yourself using dumpsters provided for the event! Thank you!

Should you have very special needs, please email us at [email protected]. And, of course, you can always call us at 340.514.1237!

DOWNLOAD: FAQ A Taste of St. Croix_Participants