- Janet Silvera/Freelance Photographer
Theo and Sharon Chambers of Positive Tourism dancing up a storm at the 14th Anniversary celebration.
Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
FOURTEEN YEARS old is a bit young, but Grand Lido Negril's production on Saturday night was in no way juvenile. As a matter of fact, their 14th anniversary celebration was rather historic, matchless, and classy.
It was an evening of vintage music, exceptional talents, and 'east meets west' fusion of foods, glamorous women adorned in beautiful gowns and men dressed to the nines.
It was Grand Lido like you had never seen it before, bent on outdoing itself the 14th time around.
An exciting stage was set from as early as 7:30 p.m. when Timair's Colleen McConnell arrived on her husband Fraser's arm, wearing a pink and black Sarah Jessica Parker jumper, followed closely by SuperClubs' Pat Scott, nil glasses, 'almost looking cute', in an Uzuri International gold-coloured dress, making a serious fashion statement.
And these two ladies were just a precursor to the creme de la creme team of employees who donned the most fabulous gowns and suits to make a grand appearance on stage with 'super boss' general manager, Bryan Drew.
By 8:00 p.m. all formalities were placed aside and guests were free to savour the 75 different entrees and 18 selections of breads that lined the walkways of the Grand Terraza.
On the buffet lines, Oriental met North America, mixed with a touch of India, and Executive Chef Martin Maginley used the opportunity to show off his new Sushi restaurant.
An impressive presentation of lobster splashed with rice wine vinegar and roasted Asian grouper were the exotic mouth watering dishes that had many going for seconds.
But even more striking was the 115 variety of desserts, that sent the 'tooth fairy', scurrying as the 150 repeat guests and the hordes of invited guests ventured into the 48 X 20 sq. ft. dessert castle, created by pastry chef, Clifton Wright and his staff.
This time around a three feet high by two feet wide chocolate sea creation, a chocolate flute, clock and bunny rabbit played havoc with the eyes.
IF THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH
And, as if this was not enough, the innovative and talented Grand Lido staff put on their own concert, cemented by 'top class' Cabaret gem, Georgia Henry, who took the audience down a musical journey from the 1960s to the late 1980s.
At the end of the evening, like Louis Armstrong, I sang, What a wonderful Grand Lido.
The 14th anniversary celebration could not have missed by the Montego Bay Jetsetters, led by SuperClubs' vice-president of operations, Sam James, Treasure Beach's new 'Beach Boy' Silvan Walker, Positive Tourism's, Sharon and Theo Chambers, Hedonism II's general manager, Richard Bourke and Metty Scarlett Jones who had to resort to her daughter Kamla Graham-Samuels for a date.
