Rosemary Parkinson, Gleaner Writer
Wine tasters at the Grand Tasting Village.
IT WAS Gari Ferguson of Rib Kage in Kingston who excitedly spoke to me about the South Beach Food & Wine Festival. That was 2005, after he returned from assisting Cindy Hutson at her booth at the Grand Tasting Village. Cindy Hutson (for those who may not know) left these shores for Miami, hooking up with Delius Shirley, son of restaurateur Norma Shirley.
Both have put Caribbean fare on the same prominent list as all other types of gourmet cuisine with restaurants (some in partnership with Bob Johnson,
former BET owner) across America. Known for 'Cuisine of the Sun' Cindy has been featured in top 'foodie' magazines, received numerous awards and travelled the exclusive celebrity chefs cruise ship route.
The South Beach Food & Wine Festival 2006 is upon us - the dates are February 24, 25 and 26. It's going to be a fantastic show. With many of the events sold out, this food festival is an indication that without a doubt food and wine - including liquor - has taken the world by its sweet potatoes!
Recently, I have had to regretfully write about the deplorable state of our independent restaurants - bar a few that continue to excel. The time has come for an in-depth look at the industry and South Beach is where I am heading to mingle with the gurus and learn, learn, learn - so that I can report on my insights for those considering (or who have already delved into) this difficult business.
I shall be investigating: what makes a good restaurant; what inspires an excellent chef; how eateries stay open for years; how they move with the times; décor, service - how important; what is good wine and how one discerns excellent fare.
These questions and more will help us to understand where restaurants are failing and what measures need to be taken to make Jamaica the capital of great cuisine. The country is already the capital of street food, cookshops and small local restaurants - so why not add gourmet to that? Don't forget, 2007 will bring thousands of cricket-loving people to the capital and the west coast. There will be 'foodies' among them and Jamaica has to be ready. Preparation time is now.
ACTIVITIES
On Friday, February 24, I will attend the Trade Day and Wine Spectator Grand Tasting where 150 of the most respected wine, spirits, water and coffee producers will be showcased. I wonder if Appleton and Blue Mountain Coffee are among them? Or, for that matter, other Caribbean rums? I shall be making special note if not. I intend to attend a seminar with the most humorous Anthony Boudain. With his recently released "Don't Try This At Home", book and some of its contributing chefs, there will be, "a free-wheeling, no-holds barred panel discussion" on some of the "most painful, humiliating and outrageous screw-ups, near misses and low points" revealing "the at-times unglamorous, backstage world" of the restaurant kitchen.
I shall squeeze into the Bobby Flay and Friends show - Moet & Chandon BubbleQ -; at the Delano Hotel. Cindy Hutson is part of this melee and I just might find a little Jamaican infusion here. Bobby Flay is the maharishi of grill, he will be receiving a warm welcome from master of ceremonies Dave Price of CBS News' Early Morning Show, Jeffrey and Linda Chodorow of China Grill management; publisher Julie McGowan; editor-in-chief Dana Cowin (Food & Wine Magazine) and Benoil Gouez, the new Chef de Cave at Moet & Chandon.
Sorry golfing enthusiasts, yes! much to your chagrin and pleasure to my feet - I have willingly decided to give up the Celebrity Chefs Invitational presented by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association at The Baltimore Hotel Country Club for my adored Bobby and Bubbly! But there's time for you to pack your golfing clubs and head straight there! Instead I have chosen a press conference with Ferran Adria. This man will throw some light on how he went from dishwasher to being recognised as "the world's most influential, imitated and controversial chef on the planet." He works his restaurant in Spain for six months, closes, and spends the following six months coming up with innovative ideas for his next season! I know Jamaican chefs would love his lifestyle!
And if I am still standing, and this one's for you, young Kingstonian Jonathan Cummings, for I happen to know that when you're not cooking up a storm, your nose is in a cookbook and your eyes on the Food Network - Rachael Ray (Food Network's 30 Minute Meals and Tasty Travels) is hosting Kidz in the Kitchen - so watch this spot for a report on that! And then, I just might end Saturday at the Sweet Deco-dence that celebrates five years of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival with desserts and confections. Oh! Lord! My slightly-better-trimmed body is definitely going to go through the eddoes, as they say in Barbados.
Saturday I shall inch my way through the Grand Tasting Village but wild horses will not keep me away on that day from Ferran Adria: The Film at the Wolfsonian Museum "the wildest and most astonishing examples of food porn ever captured on film" and "a rare look inside both a never-before seen process and the mind of a truly amazing Chef." I shall visit the 10 Cane Rum Courtyard featuring "rum's redemption" and Emeril's Kitchen Aid Show. Wow!
Sunday's grand finale will be The Tribute Brunch and once again The Tasting Village where with some other 5,000 patrons (or more) I shall be delving into sample-sized morsels of delightful chef specialities from all over the world; touching, tasting, immersing myself in aromas and spirits and all that is superb in the way of food and drink. And to end this amazing homage to food, I will attend the Chateau Lafite Rothschild: The World's Greatest Wine With Baron Eric de Rothschild show. The Baron, by then, would have received the Southern Wine & Spirits of America Lifetime Award from Thomas Matthews, executive editor of Wine Spectator. I wonder if they know that the Baron has put his name to a most divine white rum made directly from our Caribbean's perfect sugar cane on the island of Nevis?
Naturally I have but touched on the many, many events. All you have to do is surf the web for - South Beach Food & Wine Festival. Get the feel of what this amazing festival is all about. Or just open The Gleaner for the next few Thursdays and - read exclusively all about it!
"No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies asleep in the dawning of your knowledge." The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran
