- Janet Silvera/Freelance Photographer
Executive director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Jean Holder, (left) greets Verona Carter, regional director of public relations at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel with a kiss at the ICC Cricket World Cup Awards Ceremony at the Rose Hall, St. James hotel on Tuesday.
Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE WOMEN were dressed to the nines and several refused to sample the mouthwatering shrimp sauté with peanut sauce, served during cocktails for fear of soiling their well polished lips.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2007 Awards of Matches Ceremony, at the Five Star, Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, on Tuesday evening blended beautifully with the settings and seemed more like that of the CaribbeanFashion Week than the anticipated presentation of games.
The men added panache and chic in nicely fitting dark suits, not once mistaking the meaning of Dress Code: 'Black Tie.' The memorable evening commenced with a welcome cocktail reception on the Ritz Terrace, which was buzzing with classical and jazz harmonies as the Peter Ashbourne Quartet paid detailed attention to the audience's musical appetite.
CRICKET, LOVELY CRICKET
At the nucleus of the excitement were the conversations that surrounded, 'Cricket, lovely cricket.' "I don't know much about cricket, but my Prime Minister is an ardent fan," Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Aloun Assamba was overheard saying. "You should see some of the ministers passing cricket notes to him (the PM) in Parliament," she quipped. As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Patterson was missed on Tuesday, knowing the type of passion he exudes for the game played by some of the world's best sportsmen.
Adding to the distinguishing appearances were the premium products at the bar, with the Steven Kent Cabernet making the A-list of red wine lovers.
The cocktail hour was really to whet the taste buds and create the ambience for the awards ceremony which took place in the state-of-the-art decorated ballroom, which housed a big screen, cinematography cameras and Grammy Awards lighting. Seats taken, my job became easier as a politician slept through part of the proceedings and Minister Aloun Assamba prayed that Jamaica got 'even' the semi-finals package.
The evening's highlight surrounded the throng of persons, mainly women who had to get a picture with the world famous West Indian cricketer Clive Lloyd, one of the three greats, who received the Special Honourees Award. The other two sharing the limelight were the Hon. Patrick Rousseau OJ and Rev. Wesley Hall. And if the créme de la créme fashion statements made by the women who attended, are measuring tapes for 2007, let's start with the first prize non-cricketers. Topping the list was the Ritz Carlton's Verona Rutty in an Oscar de La Renta, black and white getup. She was complemented by Kelly Jarrett, assistant to the Managing Director of ICC, who wore a green Uzuri International masterpiece. Minister Portia Simpson Miller looked pretty in peach, the Jamaica Tourist Board's Norma Taylor and Melody Knight McNab spoke volumes about the colour of choice; lavender, and Director General Carole Guntley looked ravishing in red.
Verona Carter, Regional Director of Public Relations, Ritz Carlton had Jean Holder, Executive Director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation on cloud nine and Member of Parliament Edmund Bartlett, showed the men a thing or two in his dark suit, blue and black tie with matching pocket piece.
Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; Mr. Rawle Brancker, Chairman ICC; Ehsan Mani, President International Cricket Council; E.H.C. 'Teddy' Griffith; President West Indies Cricket Board; Donald Lokerbie, Venue Development Director; Christopher Dehring; Managing Director, Cricket World Cup 2007 and Councillor Noel Donaldson, Mayor of Montego Bay are just a few persons who attended the event.
MCs were sportscaster Donna Symmonds and Television Jamaica's Simon Crosskill.
