The best of Jamaica
Published:Thursday | November 11, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
THE AROMA of Jamaica's finest favourites, coupled with the seductive sweetness of delicious pastries during the Best of Jamaica Grand Market Extravaganza last weekend, created a culinary squall in the absence of Tropical Storm Tomas.
Now in its eighth staging, Best of Jamaica, held at the recently rebranded Breezes Rio Bueno Resort and Spa in Trelawny, succeeded in its bid to showcase one of the most important ingredients in brand Jamaica - food.
With a touch of elegance married with the idea of a Jamaican Coronation Market, Best of Jamaica's Grand Market Extravaganza fused cuisines from around the world, with Jamaican flavours which excited the contingent of local and international visitors who attended the event.
If the shrimp cocktails and marinated mussels were not enough to wake the taste buds, then the balsamic marinated lamb and salmon and swordfish veloute were enough to whet the appetites of anxious food lovers.
The Grand Market Extravaganza made it difficult for guests to resist pastries, chocolate opera cake, tropical fruit tart and créme de mint torte, as well as the popular cheese and blackforest cake that many could not get enough of.
On the other hand, marketing officer for Irie Isle, Charlene Archie, toppled trained chefs to become Best of Jamaica Amateur Cook-off Chef for 2010.
With her Irie grilled chicken served with wild rice and papaya mixed vegetables, a diminutive Archie stirred up a huge appetite with her burst of flavours
"It's the first time I am winning a cooking competition - and against trained chefs. It's exiting!" an enthused Archie revealed.
"I must admit that it was intimidating at first, but I took my time and did it in the name of fun, not knowing that my grilled chicken seasoned with Irie Isle products would stir such responses from the judges and secure such a huge victory," she confessed.
Best of Jamaica is an annual six-day celebration of Jamaican food and culture held at the resort formerly known as Grand Lido Braco in the yam-producing parish of Trelawny.