In just over two years, which is one year after Model Search was launched, Sonia has taken fashion to another level. It started with the President’s drive for a green economy which meant that every fashion related event she was associated with turned into a local carbon affair.
“I had known it for some time, but it really hit home within the past two years that this business offers me a platform to not only promote local fashion, but also to use this platform for a greater good,” Sonia told The Scene in a recent interview.
With the introduction of a culinary installment in the Model Search franchise this year Sonia saw the opportunity to push the Grow More Food Campaign. She said many young persons desirous of becoming chefs enthusiastically joined the competition and that the competition took on a life of its own within a few days.
The culinary arts challenge is winding down to a close after several weeks of intense competition and the finals are slated for tomorrow at Duke Lodge under the theme, “Cutting Style”. The Ministry of Agriculture has endorsed the event.
Tropical Spectacular, a show created for and put on by the chefs in the competition, was held two weeks ago at the Roraima Residence Inn and the competitors had to serve up their best for a win.
The chefs were asked to produce an impressive display using local fruits and vegetables, in an effort to promote the Grow More Food Campaign and Sonia said the designs were apt for the name given to the event. Judging the competition were Penelope Harris from Carnegie School of Home Economics, John Reman from Betten Court Diner, and Paul Burnette, a committee member.
Nizam Hassan of the Guyana Marketing Corporation was among those praising the event and commended the young chefs on the displays mounted.
Harris was quoted in a press release from the Model Search team as saying that she was optimistic the event would grow into something more, adding that she got emotional from looking at the displays.
“Enough words cannot describe how I feel because this is my passion. I thank Sonia for taking the initiative and I can’t wait for the next round,” Reman was quoted as saying.
Speaking on the initiative, Sonia said she had long hoped to include a culinary segment to the Guyana Model Search competition. She said the enthusiasm and the positive attitudes from the chefs in the competition have encouraged her to strengthen it and make it bigger and better next year.
Samantha Moseley emerged winner of the competition, followed by Kester Hinds in second and Gail Davidson in third. The finals for the culinary arts competition is set for tomorrow at Duke Lodge. The chefs would be paired with a designer for the night. Tickets are on sale at Duke Lodge, Kings Jewellery, Wireless Connections and Nigel’s Supermarket among other places.
For the Model Search leg of the competition, Sonia said this year is shaping up to be one of the most memorable. The addition of plus-size models to the competition has already sparked added interest and according to Sonia the quality of the models is one of the things that stand out this year.
“Model Search is heating up and only recently the eliminations have been ongoing,” Sonia said. She said many of the models have been fighting hard to stay in the competition; many have openly wept during eliminations.
Last weekend the Model Search photo shoot competition went down at Celina’s Atlantic Resort. The models were asked to show up for the shoot with two personal outfits. Sonia was impressed with some of the styles presented, but said she was unprepared for the fierce attitudes and bold poses which the models brought to the shoot.
The final eliminations were held for Model Search last weekend and six models in each category have been cleared for the finals, which is set for July 4 at the Pegasus Hotel. There are three categories; male and female models and the plus-size models category.
Those through to the finals are male category – Osafa George, Anthony Staman, Esau Humpfrey, Darren McKalman, Jason Shurland; female category – Cardella Hamilton, Alicia Kirton, Alicia Williems, Alana Phen and Jericia Frances. The plus size models are Mihson Pertab, Tristana Roberts, Luciana James, Lotoya Whitehead and Okesa.
Sonia said she is really excited with all that has happened and is yet to happen in the competition, noting that she is gratified at the response from the public and officials in government.
