JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
French Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Francis Hurtut prepares to give his remarks at yesterday's press conference to launch the "A Touch of France 2005" Expo at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, yesterday. The expo will run from March 19 to 22 at the hotel.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
TOUCH OF France, the annual commercial and cultural expo hosted by the Alliance Francaise, will take place at the Hilton Kingston Hotel between March 19 and 22.
Like other years, the expo will offer a variety of booths for Jamaican companies and individuals to view products offered by French and Jamaican companies.
The Hilton Kingston Hotel will be transformed into little France starting with the culinary creations of chef Jean-Claude Boucheret from the renowned Cordon-Bleu school of cuisine. A typical French bistro serving all types of French cuisine will be in operation and guests can sample the tastes of France until March 24.
FOOD-TASTING SESSION
On Sunday there's a food-tasting session; a children's corner which will involve demonstrations of mime and face painting; wine-tasting and a film show. A concert featuring Guadeloupe-born singer Dominik Coco takes place on Monday, March 21. Tuesday's main attraction is a fashion show featuring Saint International models.
The expo will be held over the weekend. This is a move which Thomas Curelli, managing director of Alliance Francaise, hopes will mean bigger crowds as persons should have more time to view the happenings.
There will also be a 'forum day' on March 21. Discussions will centre on opportunities for Franco/Ja-maican business, fashion presentations on French tourism and travel as well as opportunities for Jamaicans to study in French tertiary institutions. Tuesday, March 22 is Schools' Day.
Entrance to the fashion show will require patrons to pay a small fee. The concert still carries its usual entry fee and part proceeds of the two will go toward paying half the tuition of a student at the Shortwood Teachers' College.
The "Touch of France" expo was first held in 2000.
