BARBADOS' FISH CAKES and fish burgers could soon be available throughout the region after local manufacturers received rave reviews at the recent Caribbean Agri-Food Trade Convention in Trinidad and Tobago.

That's the good news coming from Claire Sargeant, co-ordinator of the 100% Bajan Campaign, who led a group of local manufacturers to the convention.

Two of the local products making a big impact were Chef Stevan's Instant Fish Cake Batter and Blue Giant Fish Burgers, both from Strategic Marketing Specialists (SMS).

If all goes to plan, the fish burgers could soon be on the shelves of the Burger King franchise in Jamaica and the Royal Castle chain of fast food outlets in Trinidad and Tobago.

According to Vanavah Edwards, chief executive officer of SMS, general manager of Burger King Trinidad, Derek Lukpat, was so impressed with the fish burgers that he immediately called Trans Trading Jamaica and gave them SMS' information.

Burger King subsequently sent an employee to Barbados to collect samples of the fish burgers.

Patrick Sun Kow, director of Fresh Start, a leading food supply company in Trinidad and Tobago, was also very impressed with the Barbadian products and the response they garnered.

Fresh Start supplies caterers such as Royal Castle, which has 23 locations, and he is interested in getting the Instant Fish Cake and fish burgers for Royal Castle first and then phasing them into the Trinidad and Tobago school meals' programme, hotels and restaurants, and finally supermarkets.

Possible boost

Sargeant said that if the plans were to be finalised, then Kow's intention of importing 30 000 fish burgers monthly would provide a tremendous boost for Barbados' manufacturing sector.

Ingrid Herrera, CEO of the School Nutrition Programme for The National Schools Dietary Services Ltd in Trinidad, requested a quote on supplying the fish burgers monthly.

She also asked for a quote on the instant fish cake batter.

Sargeant said manufacturers were very pleased with the response they received at the convention and that the 100% Bajan Campaign would continue with its push to find new markets for locally-manufactured goods. (PR)