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Fortsmayr breaks 24-year drought

Published:Sunday | July 4, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Millicent Lynch has no intention of aging and she signalled this at the CHTA President's Inauguration Dinner.
(From left) Attorney-at-law, Aloun Assamba; Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Hugh Riley; Tropical Shipping's Jennifer Nugent-Hill and Flavia Sanguinetti strike the pose.
Jamaica's Deputy Director of Tourism, David Sheilds (left), and chairman of Kahn Travel, Richard Kahn, are enjoying every moment at the CHTA President's inauguration dinner.
Having a good time are (from left) Joy Roberts, Tess-Marie Leon and Earl and Doreen Patrick.
Dr Wykeham McNeill and wife Sheila make a grand entrance.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (left), outgoing president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Enrique deMarchena (centre) and Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Hugh Riley, get the paparazzi treatment.
President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Josef Forstmayr (left), SuperClub's Jag Mehta (centre) and cousin Katrin Casserly relax at Forstmayr's inauguration dinner at the Half Moon in Montego Bay on Saturday, June 26. - PHOTOS BY Janet Silvera
Tom Pas (left), Haydee Rainieri and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett smile for the camera.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Caribbean kokonda, watermelon surprise, bammy chips with barbeque beef and tomato tart tatin were the appetite stimulators for the 'Taste of the Caribbean' dinner that the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) organised for its new president Josef Forstmayr.

Having broken a 24-year drought by finally being named president of the prestigious organisation seemed not enough for the CHTA, as they placed the ingredients into an incredible menu presented by the créme de la créme of the island's executive chefs on Saturday, June 26, in Montego Bay.

"As many of you know, one of my passions is food ... LOCAL food. This is one of the Caribbean's finest attributes; we must strive to elevate the status and appreciation of Caribbean flavours and food beyond our own shores," declared Forstmayr in his acceptance speech, witnessed by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, executive director of CHTA, Alec Sanguinetti and wife Flavia, Opposition spokesman on tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill and wife Sheila, plus a host of tourism leaders from right across the region.

Proof is in the pudding

Held in the Cornwall Room of the Half Moon Conference Centre, the Culinary Federation of Jamaica's Bill Moore led the team that included executive chefs Martin Maginley of Round Hill, and Half Moon's Steve Sowa and Ravi Anne. A breadfruit vichyssoise had the Tourism Product Development Company's Earl Patrick speaking like a poet.

"It's very good that we have taken the breadfruit to another level," he declared, clearly satisfied with his lot. "The proof is in the pudding," touted former tourism minister Aloun Assamba, finishing her dish in 'Bolt' time. A peppered shrimp gnocchi and salt fish rundown with creamed callaloo received rave reviews from Patrick again who said, "Salt fish has put on clothes." Pink grapefruit and cilantro sorbet, used to cleanse the palate, did a great job of making way for the main course of pimento-vanilla-rubbed goat rack, served with rosemary and fried plantain chimichurri, completed an evening well spent celebrating Fortsmayr's new position.

The hotelier, who is the managing director of the Round Hill Hotel and Villas, will lead the CHTA for the next two years.

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com