PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands - November 25, 2007 - The Fourth Annual Turks & Caicos Conch Festival drew record crowds to the Blue Hills area of Providenciales on Saturday November 24, with thousands of locals and tourists flocking to the scene of the annual 'conch-etition.' Bright sunny skies greeted the masses at the scenic beachside venue and they were treated to an afternoon of food, fun, and music that culminated with the crowning of champions in a host of conch-related culinary categories.

Aqua Restaurant successfully defended its title as Best in Festival, winning the popular vote with its tasty won-ton conch recipe. Coming in a close second was Hole in The Wall, which fell just a few votes short of recapturing its 2005 title, but still came away with two second places wins in the category voting. But the coveted floating trophy - and the $1000 first prize - returns to Turtle Cove as Aqua becomes the first repeat winner in the Best Overall category.

Other winners included:
Best Chowder:
Iguana Restaurant (2nd Place: Hole In the Wall; 3rd Place: Beaches)

Best Conch Salad
Kissing Fish Catering (2nd Place: Boogaloo; 3rd Place: Club Med)

Best Specialty Conch Dish
Aqua (2nd Place Hole In the Wall, 3rd Place: Bay Bistro)

Best Presentation
O'Soleil

Category winners were decided by a team of celebrity judges, including Clay Conley of Azul Restaurant in Miami, Nick Handfield of the Caicos Conch Farm, Jen Karetnick of Miami Magazine, Dean Max of 3030 Ocean Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Erik Peters, Culinary Director for Club Med Caribbean region, and Georgia Williams of the Caicos Conch Farm. All the judges agreed it was a strong field of competitors and they came away impressed with the quality and creativity of the chefs in the Turks & Caicos.

Participating restaurants included: Anacaona, Aqua, Bare Naked Conch Café, Bay Bistro, Beaches, Bernie's Roadside Café, Boogaloo, Club Med, Danny Buoy's, Hemingway's, Hole in the Wall, Horse Eyed Jacks, Iguana, Kissing Fish Catering, Lutong Pinoy, O'Soliel, Raymond Montpremier, Simba, Three Queens, and Turks & Caicos Hotel Institute.

A Mojito-making competition sponsored by The Wine Cellar brought about the best mixologists in the islands to see who could whip up the tastiest rum concoction. Marvin Mullings of Anacaona/Grace Bay Club walked away with the top prize in the spirited contest held on the beach.

Other highlights of the day include a native sloop race, a conch knocking competition (won by Michael Richards and Elsa Williams), a conch blowing contest, a variety of kid's games hosted by David Bowen of the Department of Culture, and live music from Lee Forbes & The Force, the Island Boys, and Junkanoo. The Rotary Club of Providenciales held its annual Pot of Gold draw, and local attorney/developer Beryn Duncanson won the $10,000 prize and got the news via a call from HE Governor Richard Tauwhare to notify him of his great luck.

"This was our best Festival yet and it really was a great day for the community and for the Turks & Caicos. It puts some of the best aspects of TCI on display - food, restaurants, culture, music, friendly people and the physical beauty of the Blue Hills area," said Mike Sottak, president of the Conch Festival. "We had a super crowd that represents a cross section of the islands, and we can't say enough about the support we get from the chefs, as well as the local business community who sponsor the event. They are the ones who help make this event such a great one and our hats are off to them."

For more information, go to www.conchfestival.com , or contact Mike Sottak at 331-6832 or mike@wiredislandtci.com