2014 International Quality Award

Online, January 17, 2014 (Newswire.com) - 30 distinguished individuals/ businesses across the world will receive the 38th International Hotel & Restaurant European Quality Award for Gastronomy. The award ceremony will be held at Hotel Melia Castilla (Capitan Haya 43 - Madrid) at 1:30pm. Jamaican born recipient Ajeen Beckford, started is culinary career at the tender age of 15. His first foray into the culinary arts began in the Morgan's Harbour Hotel in Port Royal Jamaica while he was still attending high school. Over the next four years Ajeen honed his skills, and by age 19 he quickly advanced through the culinary world as a Commis Chef on a Caribbean Cruise Vessel for 6 months, then moved on to Barbados as a Sous Chef.

Upon his return to Jamaica, Ajeen completed his chef Certificate program from NCTVET C/O HEART TRUST NTA in 2006. He started working with Wedding / Event Planners and with a number of local restaurants/chefs developing a stellar reputation across the Island.

In 2007 Ajeen competed in the Eastern Caribbean Cook Off and placed as 1st runner up for the title of Chef of the Caribbean.

Shortly thereafter, he began working with boxing legend Lennox Lewis and the Tryall Club Montego-Bay and moved on to become a Supervisor at Beach Resort 'Swept Away'.

Ajeen's presence in the culinary world would flourish during his position as Head Chef and Restaurant Manager at 'Our Past Time' Beach Resort. While at 'Our Past Time', he cultivated and developed his own brand and signature dishes described as a French Jamaican/ Caribbean fusion. This contemporary approach to French Caribbean cuisine sparked an overwhelming response and demand for his expertise, which took his talent across the Caribbean and resulted in the restaurant receiving the New Millennium Golden Culinary Award.

The birth of French Caribbean Cuisine, has resulted in several noteworthy accomplishments for Ajeen Beckford. In addition to receiving the Cambridge Award of Achievement, Ajeen has also made Stanford's Black Book of "Who's Who" among Professionals and Entrepreneurs.
Winning numerous regional and local awards throughout the US and Caribbean, this new and exciting culinary science has grabbed the attention of international foodies.

Ajeen has been flying from country to country hosting a bevy of major culinary events including: Good Foods Canada, appearing on the Food Network Stage, The French Regional Gastronomy Festival in Guadeloupe, Culinary Explorations in Jamaica and Various live cooking shows across GTA of Canada.

After completing the Gourmet Chef and Nutritionist program with Honors at Ashworth College in Atlanta Georgia, Ajeen moved to Canada in April 2010. He started The Professional Chef Service & Catering Company to delight Canadians with his French Caribbean Gourmet creations.

His passion and his innovation of French Caribbean fusion has resulted in Ajeen being named in the top 30 Persons /Business across the world to receive the 2014 International Gastronomy Award for Hotel & Restaurant Quality and also has the honor of being the youngest person to do so during its 38th year history. Ajeen is also expected to visit Paris and Amsterdam after receiving the award in Madrid, as he uses the opportunity to better understand the variation of cuisines exist in the region.,

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