Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor

Rihanna live on stage, Barbados Music Awards 2007.

Many exclusive interviews with nominees and awardees re food related subjects were all planned for the second annual Barbados Music Awards. But someone figured my new Sony digital camera with photos and notes was far more delicious than my food column.

Perhaps the criminal intends to write his own story under a pseudonym for the St. Lawrence Ghetto Newspaper about this night filled with glitz and glamour that actually took far too long, with performances that left a lot to be desired. But, life gives you what you might inadvertently ask for. 'Twas my choice to find myself side-ah-road De Gap eating pan chicken as fast as the event declared itself over, joining others in a nearby rum shop twirling to karaoke with not a care for the camera pickpockets of the world.

"High style and high-voltage performances," was how the local newspaper described the evening but, once the gold carpet was strutted upon by those whose day had been all about designer dresses, hairdos, jewellery, make-up, shoes and convertibles, gold Mercedes and stretch limos, the only performance I found electrifying was from Kimberley Inniss who showed Rihanna a thing or two about 'movementation' on stage.

While I agree with Prime Minister Owen Arthur about the importance of music awards, if we don't make this event a Caribbean one, Barbados will continue to have the same nominees, taking turns in winning awards, yearly. Boring. After 50 years, perhaps, every Bajan man, woman and child would have had momentary glory. Hence the method behind the madness, said one of many complaining patrons who swarmed the bar far from the proceedings.

Thank God for common sense. Irving Burgie got an international award of merit to put next to all his many prestigious ones. Dame Olga Lopez Seale, Romeo, Adonijah and Serenader - the latter three recognised probably by Jamaicans who attend Crop Over - received with many others including Jamaicaphile Elombe Mottley, Cornerstone Awards. Not sure what that really means. Cornerstone Awards. Over the hill awards? Or about to go over the hill awards? I hope they mean awards for those turning the corner of youthful prime entering the portals of the best of their creative life. That's how I translate it.

LIFE, MUSIC AND FOOD

David Kirton, Noelle Kirton, Sean St. John and Sara Collins. - Photos by Rosemary Parkinson

I was impressed by a young man called Billy Kincaid, awarded for Best Rap/Hip Hop. This sweet, humble lad teamed up with his mentor, The Mighty Gabby, producing We Live On. He told me, clutching his trophy, he had been singing for seven years and this award blew his mind. Not his stomach though. This could only be blown by roasted breadfruit coucou and steamed flying fish. Roasted breadfruit coucou? Traditional breadfruit coucou is made by beating the hell out of peeled boiled breadfruit, turning it as in corn coucou sans okra until smooth and creamy. Kincaid had to be a CARICOM product. True enough. Bajan by birth, there's a Dominican grandfather and a Jamaican grandmother. The latter would "be vex if I did not eat up all the roast breadfruit and patties she used to make for me in New York," he said. The result? His own Caribbean mix of loved foods. Roast Breadfruit Coucou. Well, I never. And they say CSME can't work? Sweet food, it suuurely can!

The Mighty Gabby - Barbados' cultural ambassador - was recently promoted to a Nigerian chief and given the name of Omowale meaning "our son has returned." Chief Gabby (sorry, Omowale), is now head of a community or clan, a source of authority. I suggest cultural ambassador comes under this title too. Unfortunately, I didn't find out about Gabby's favoured food but if I remember rightly, long ago, before chief of anything but folk songs and calypso, he would enjoy all manner of Bajan fare. Maybe even some he might deny today. May the spiritual blessings bestowed upon him by The Sons of God Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Church in Barbados give him "de strength to continue eating nuff ital cuisine."

VITAL ITAL

Side-ah-road grilled chicken sweeter than any award.

Talking ital, let's mention David Kirton who more than deserved an award not received. His video is brilliant and his nomination for best Reggae Video should have had him walking off the podium with one of those icicle-shaped take-up-de-shelf trophies. David, who is drop-dead gorgeous and managed by his wife Noelle (a beautiful mother of three), had her eldest, Sean, stand next to my child who looked incredible in a Nefetari design. She presented the Best Album of the Year - A Girl Like Me - to Rihanna.

Now David's Reggae Video has been acclaimed internationally, is played constantly abroad by the who's who of entertainment but awards in the Caribbean seem to come like boxes of chocolates - you never know what 'yu gine get' with merit appearing not to be a flavour. David is a vital ital man. Although disappointed, this talented family went home gracefully for a feast of Dave's own corn bread, veggie Mexican chilli, brown rice, a salad of cucumber, tomatoes and cheese with coconut water as the drink of choice. Bet this food tasted better than the almost-six-hour awards.

Rosemary Parkinson fills herself with Caribbean food and assumes that Rihanna still loves good old Bajan nosh. Talking cuisine, start booking for Food Network's South Beach Food &Wine, February 23.