Romance through food - Food-aphrodisiac expert scheduled for bridal expo

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Jamaica's rich spices and fruits have drawn international food-aphrodisiac advocate Amy Reiley to the island this summer. Reiley will be in the island for the Bridal Dreams Jamaica Showcase and Fashion Show slated for June 2-9 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

During a recent interview with Food, Reiley confessed that she has never been to the island but its rich culture and flavourful spices, fruits and food were among the reasons she decided to share her culinary expertise at the upcoming bridal event.

"Food and relationships go hand in hand, so being able to speak to couples, singles or persons planning to get married excite me and I'm looking forward to coming to Jamaica in June. I am obsessed with plantain, so I am interested to learn more about it when I visit and I have always been interested in working with tropical fruits," she notes.

Reiley is based in Los Angeles, California, and earned her master's in gastronomy awarded by France's 'culinary temple', Le Cordon Bleu. While at Cordon Bleu, she rose to fame for her work in culinary aphrodisiacs. She is the author of four cookbooks - Romancing the Stove: The Unabridged Guide to Aphrodisiac Foods, Kiss My Bundt: Recipes from the Award-Winning Bakery, Fork Me Spoon Me: The Sensual Cookbook and The Love Diet which she co-authored with Juan-Carlos Cruz.

She began her career as a food writer, but out of the need to go more in-depth, she pursued culinary studies. However, Reiley told Food that she never wanted to work in a commercial kitchen despite being qualified to do so as her passion is in the writing and research aspect of food.

As America's leading aphrodisiac food authority, Reiley admitted that it was food which connected both her and her husband, first as friends and later, as lovers.

"We were friends and I would invite him over and cook for him and it was just something innocent among friends that we did, and it evolved from there. I encourage couples that cooking is more than just ingredients, you need to set a whole scene and be present in the moment of romance as it relates to food."

Under the theme 'Fruits of Passion', Reiley will speak on June 9 at the showcase, following a week of activities that will include premarital counselling sessions, bridal shower and trunk show, bridal industry networking, bachelorette party and an Epicurean showcase to culminate the activities.