Living the dream: The Belcour Experience

Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle Reporter

Thank God it's Friday, and what better way to say cheers to the weekend than with friends and family savouring freshly prepared delectable dishes? Well, that was exactly what was in store for specially invited guests who accepted the invitation to indulge in the Belcour experience last Friday night.

Against the backdrop of the distant city lights, in the cool hills of St Andrew, in short order guests got to know each other, before indulging in the starter of mouth-watering pistachio dip served with baked pita triangles, complimented by desired libations.

Hostess Robin Lim Lumsden took us all on a journey of Belcour and how it came to be an amazing cookbook. Inspired by her family members and friends who have made the biggest impact on her life, she paints the picture of their cultural diversity through the wonderful world of food. The author and chef confessed that its success was because of the incredible teamwork of her hard-working crew, both in and out of the kitchen. Included in the compilation of Chinese, French and Jamaican recipes are some original masterpieces from her mother and grandmothers, as well as some from her culinary team.

Before partaking of the feast, guests were informed of the rules - among them no business talk, and to consume the meal while its hot. Yielding to the dictates of the host and surrounded by the scents of fresh rosemary and tropical flowers, guests sat down to dinner. As everyone dug in, the conversations focusing on food, family and friends were frequently interrupted by "hhmms" as taste buds were constantly stimulated.

Palates titillated

Fresh off the pages of her book, every sumptuous dish was embraced as palates were titillated from the very beginning by the array of flavours and textures. The hors d'oeuvres of rustic organic Woodford garden salad with roasted beans with gorgonzola, drizzled with Blue Misty Mountain Farms honey and papaya seed vinaigrette, was straight from the garden, as the pepper pot soup, which was served with garlic French bread warmed up the evening.

The entrée was a meat lovers' paradise of succulent fillet steak with mushroom gravy while vegetarians got a taste of the delicious catch of the day in the form of cream fillet of fish au gratin. Sides comprised of jasmine rice, Cuban black beans, citrus-glazed candied plantains, stuffed chayote (cho chos) and coco fritters.

To sweeten the deal, Lumsden served up a slice of orange cake with her signature Belcour five-fruit marmalade icing, along with a piece of coconut custard and chocolate pie.

At the end of the three-course feast, guests were left with whetted appetites yearning for more. However, guests were encouraged to get their own copy of Belcour: Jamaican, French and Chinese Family Recipes for Entertaining cookbook and continue the culinary journeys across the continents.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com