A heavenly feast

Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

It was the perfect setting for the perfect meal. The date was last Friday, July 12; the location, Tumbleweed in Upton, Ocho Rios. The occasion? Missouri natives Jim and Darcy Fangman had placed the highest bid in an eBay charity auction for a special dinner sponsored by Couples Tower Isle, and prepared by the resort chain's executive chef Stefan Spath.

All the proceeds from the auction went to benefit the local shelter, Animal House.

For four consecutive years, the Fangmans have outbid everyone for a charity close to their heart. Proud animal lovers, the Fangmans have even adopted two dogs from the shelter who have settled nicely into their new Missouri home.

After consulting with Spath the first year they won the dinner, the Fangmans now leave him to do his own thing, and as Darcy told Food, it always turns out spectacularly.

The dinner started off with a bang. The Merlot marinated rabbit was the perfect starter. Imagine rabbit marinated in seductive Merlot for 24 hours, then braised with herbs and spices before it is slow cooked, and the meat pulled from the bones. This was then complemented with mushroom polenta with green peas and thyme-glazed tomatoes. A perfect pairing was made with Beringer Chardonnay, chosen by general manager of the resort, Leonard Henry.

Trip to asia

The soup took us on a trip to Asia with Thai chicken tom kla - with herbs straight from the gardens of Thai chef at Couples Tower Isle Mayuree Saipetch.

The Otaheite Apple sorbet cleared the palette for the explosion of flavours that was to come in the entrée.

With lobster now back in season, Spath couldn't resist incorporating it into the entrée. The Caribbean surf and turf of grilled plantain, crusted beef tenderloin and garlic lobster tail was paired with naseberry jus and lemon beurre blanc breadfruit au gratin. Breadfruit has never tasted so good. The tenderloin was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and so juicy, it set the tastebuds on fire.

For the vegetarians in the group, Spath went all out to make their dishes absolutely delectable. Their appetiser was char-grilled veggies over mushroom and green peas polenta, with crumbled feta cheese. Their soup was cream of fire roasted tomato soup, and the entrée, stuffed chocho baked with green asparagus with red pepper coulis, mozzarella and parmesan cheese with breadfruit au gratin.

The entrée had Kendal Jackson Merlot as its partner in crime and everyone was held captive. Each dish was devoured between oohs and aahs of delight with the symphony of the creatures of the night and the soothing sound of the cascading waterfalls by the pool creating a perfect atmosphere.

And when it was time for dessert, the experience was simply hedonistic. The bitter chocolate coconut gateau with mango scotch bonnet salsa and almond brittle was to die for. And the cherry on top was a seemingly unlimited supply of raspberry white chocolate macaroons.

The Fangmans will agree that the online auction continues to be the most delicious bet they have ever made.