The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

bitenightout to Goodwin’s illness. “Former title-holder Shirley De Law- rence stepped into the breech, firstly by holding the line; then developing her ideas, refreshing ideas of a new gen- eration, but always within the broad scope of the traditions of what had gone before; and finally acquiring ownership of the title.” After a decade, the 25th Miss Caribbean and Common- wealth, in association with Uzuri Magazine , was held at The Rock Tower in northwest London on 26 November. The event was well attended, with guests dressed in beauti- ful and smart apparel. The large auditorium had a runway stage in the middle, with rows of chairs and a glass-pan- elled balcony upstairs toward the back. A drummer dressed in African attire opened the evening’s entertainment and played the djembe. Comedian Shabbz Kariem and former Miss Uganda Gladys Kyotungire hosted the evening. They introduced us to the judges consisting of fashion designer Jose Hendo, the 6th winner of Miss Caribbean and Commonwealth Margarette Alcindor, model and Film/TV creative Blessing Boyega, actor Stedroy Cabey and Weekly Gleaner Page 5 winner in 1983 and the first titled Miss Caribbean and Common- wealth Lucia Maginley (nee Charlery). The hosts announced the 16 contestants who made their way down the runway in pairs, representing 14 countries (Nigeria and Ghana had two each): Uganda, Portugal, Cy- prus, Trinidad & Tobago, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, England, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Jamaica, Angola and Grenada. As they gathered across the stage at the back, they had to pick a tag out of a box to determine which order they would come out for the remainder of the evening. Miss Uganda contestant Reyne Kakooza is 22, studying law and economics, and wishes to follow a legal career. Miss Portugal’s Jaydene Pinheiro Neto is 20, adventurous, dis- covering herself and finding her calling. “I’m known to be a positive fireball, incredibly creative and generous.” Naomi Cauchi representing Miss Cyprus, is also 20, works in retail management and describes herself as bubbly, full of ener- gy, hard-working, passionate about football, and plays the sport. Empress Divine is Miss Trinidad and Tobago, a 27-year- old project coordinator and facilitator for a theatre com- pany. Her passions include working in the community to improve young people's mental health and wellbeing. Miss Nigeria's Sophia Amenze Ubebe is 19 and a business stu- dent. She aspires to be an entrepreneur in the future and Photography: Tony Wellington