Digging in for charity

The crashing waves and blue torquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea provided the perfect setting for the recent fundraising dinner for the St Ann-based charity The Animal Shelter. For the fifth consecutive year, Jim and Darcy Fangman were the highest bidders in the eBay auction for the dinner sponsored by Couples Tower Isle.

As the sun set, the Fangmans and their six guests had the hotel's private island all to themselves. As they enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres of chilled watermelon and basil feta, the entire island was engulfed in the mouth-watering aroma of the delectable menu that head chef Valentine McKenzie and his team were preparing right there on the island.

It is no secret that Jamaican food is good. Combine that with having some of the best chefs in the island at Couples, and the result is mind-blowing. From the appetiser of chilled local Caribbean seafood ceviche of shrimp, scallops and lionfish to the soup - cream of curried cauliflower - with slow roast pulled duck confit and scallion sour cream to the main course of grilled beef tenderloin and Jamaican lobster tail, it was a heavenly feast.