Of Water & Spirits

Monday evening offered TD a pleasant mix of interventions.
We started off @ the US Embassy compound dominating the northern end of Liguanea
Entry proved taxing, what with the ihe involved security procedure, but having passed through we were afforded entry into the conference room on the second flor of the main building, its large windows giving us a welcome perspective on the St Andrew hills and the Blue Mountains.
of course those areas are pivotal to the evening's topic of discussion: water resource management. The two main presentations, from Jamaica Environmental Trust Director Suzanne Stanley and US engineer Glen Galloway respectively, offered varying insights and perspectives on the issue of water resources and what we might do to preserve nad maximize them.

The latter presentation was the more engaging, if only for the presenter's wide experience and easy homespun wit. that aside, the event is primarily aimed for public consumption and participation and the full house did both, contributing questions and comments ranging from desalination as a an alternative to gravity-fed water harvesting (in the aforesaid hills) to the use and diversion of external water sources for the Kingston Metro region.

From there it was on to Devon House, where the official reopening of the refurbished great house as well as the restaurant/pub complex was winding down upon our arrival. Nonetheless, we had the opportunity to view the new surroundings (the Pub, that is; will get into the Great House soon) and talk to wayne Foster, who has assumed ownership of the storied watering hole, with the promise of great things -and times - to come.

There was wine and Devon Duppies courtesy of Wray & nephew/Lascelles and we gladly obliged. Of course where there are people and drinks, there is inevitable conversation and reminiscence and in the very affable person of Ramson's general manager Raymond Silvera, we had quite a time recalling - and discovering - some of the long gone and almost forgotten night clubs and hot spots that used to dot Kingston ,both uptown and downtown.

All appetites sated, we departed - but not before recognizing former Prime minister Edward Seaga, Mexican ambassador Lenora Rueda and the ladies of the Friends of Devon House, who lost no time in co-opting this writer into their activities.
Ah well, its nice to be needed as a man.

Now We Applaud: Observer Food Awards 2K10

The State of Emergency had pushed the food industry's big night back to coincide with the music industry's big night (well, one of them anyway), but much as we appreciate the Killer and wish him well, for TD the choice between Dancehall and fine food was a clear no-brainer, more so given the presence of 3-Michelin starred master gourmand Marco Pierre White on hand.

The rain threatened at the start and later intervened. although thankfully at the end of the formal presentations, and even then, only briefly - more of a blessing than a bummer and with the wet interlude over, the eating, drinking tasting and applauding made famous in the Awards promo line resumed in earnest and as TD departed the venue approaching midnight, things were just winding down.

All in all, it was another applause-worthy effort form Awards Conceptualiser and Observer Lifestyle Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte and the event team. On entering the grounds, the layout was considerably more appealing than in previous years and not only for the presence of the ATL Autohaus team with their gleaming Land Rover Audi and Jaguar vehicles on show. Some wondered about the inclusion of luxury autos at a food event, but for us the mix worked fine, and with the formalities over, ATL founder and head honcho Gordon Butch Stewart could be seen trying out the "merchandise" coaxing some sweet notes out of the more than willing 2.0 litre engine in the Audi A5 coupe

Appetizers, desserts and generally lighter fare were grouped together along with the drinks (with a few exceptions) with Tru-Juice, Caribbean Producers and Cafe Bleu ready to slake the thirsts of patrons. They all played second fiddle however to the Royal Plantation pavilion: Their Paradise martini wins our unofficial poll for the best "effin" cocktail of the entire show. In the wine category, Bin 26 and several of the hotel exhibitors poured great vino, but our hearts and palates were stolen by the New York-based DPEC Partners, whose Algogdon range - Malbec and Bonarda varietals each offered a thrilling symphony of flavours, complemented by the genuine warmth and insouciance of principals Keith, Lauren and Karen.

On the eats side, Garry Ferguson's whole roasted pig, the cured pigtails from Best Dressed Foods, Colin Hylton's cheesecake, Denise Forbes' divine tiramisu and theplum pudding (Christmas cake) - made from packaged mix - by newcomers Annilu were among the standouts.

Indeed, all were outstanding, and the large turnout validated the event's position at the pinnacle of the still emerging modern Jamaican lifestyle and cultural cosmos.

On to number 13.



Our event pics on Monday.

The next Grand masters?

<

Its a small room inside Kingston's Pegasus, but the atmosphere is like a prep school playground at recess: loud, rapid-fire speech, frenetic activity and an overall sense of impending pandemonium.

In other words, just another day at the Gifted Chess lesson.

Jamaican player-enthusiast Adian Palmer has for several years now been teaching the rudiments of the "king's game" to little princes and princesses - most are within the age group nine to twelve years. Now, with Jamaica having, for the very first time, the distinction of an International Master courtesy of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in the person of Jomo Pitterson, the eyes of the chess world will be turned on Jamaica. President of the Jamaica Chess Federation Ian Wilkinson describes Pitterson as "a true chess 'phenom' adding that very few players, if any, in the region work as hard as he at chess.

Despite their playground demeanor, coach Adrian's charges do emulate the model ascribed to Pitterson, even if they are a bit skittish about speaking of their love for the game. The coach says his best prospects for the next International Master (and maybe Grandmaster) are three youngesters Elias Issa (shown at left in the baove photo), Elric Lee and Ethan Chang, none as old as 12, but each having distinguished himself in the Schools tournament held earlier in the year. Some 30 teams from 16 schools across the island participated in this year’s Championship, Palmer states.

Next up for the kids - the Orange Bowl in Miami in December, but also the Philadelphia Open.

Jamaican Art: masters old and new at the Gallery Pegasus

Its already hanging, but Gallery pegasus will shortly formally unveil a private collection featuring the works of Roy Reid (shown right), Eric Cadien, Webster Campbell, Allan Zion, ras Dizzy, Dorothy Henriques-Wells, Everard Powell, Barrington "Kush" Lord and others.

A 'beauty-ful' nite @ the Miss Jamaica World launch

Why is this man smiling? Now there's a rhetorical question. but seriously, for a moment, last night saw us at the Jamaica Pegasus gardens for the launch of the 2010 edition of the Miss Jamaica World competition.

Alongside the now familiar "Beauty With A Purpose" tag, comes "Peace and Love" as in the PALS theme as the Miss World organization in Jamaica teams up with the PALS group to spread the message across the land.

Pageant Director and former queen Terri-Karelle Griffiths Reid, and her cohorts Sara Lawrence and Regina Beavers were on hand - along with reigning Miss Jamaica World Kerry Bayliss. They were joined by reps from Stewart Motors - who used the occasion to relaunch (softly) the Mini brand in Jamaica, as well as Cari-med and other sponsors.

The eliminations take place today.

Saint "Ja-Mecca" Style 2K10

Featuring the runway debut of Therese Morris, wearing House of Gillespie crochet style (down to the shoes) at historic Fort Charles, right at the very tip of
the Palisadoes strip in Port Royal.

Despite a 2-hour start delay, the showcase turned out to be well worth
the trip and the time, with standout collections from Nish and Yola Grey

Style week 2K10

look out for my wrap-up of Style Week shows this year - menswear, Int'l mecca of Style and Fashionblock, including the runway debut of a very special lady. Also the S Africa meets the World food event at the Pegasus hotel.

Will post later this week- with pix

Sports, Suites and Saints: three views of Kingston

the weekend presented three contrasting views of the capital city, and each within walking distance of the other.

First, inside the newly established Sports Max Sports Zone (a former supermarket that abuts banks and professional offices) the crowds had barely recovered their composure after the shock exit of Brazil from the world cup, when more drama unfolded on the multiple big plasma screens inside the sports bar on steroids.

Plucky Ghana saw their World Cup run ended by the technically superior Uruguay team, and the missed penalty by Ghana seconds before then ed of extra time.

Sorrows drowned in Red Stripe Bold, we headed over to the Spanish Court for a quick tour, including the already renowned Sky Bar, a mezzanine poolside terrace with an airy feel and where the "S-tini" is the house specialty (they'll tell you what's in it). From cozy designer lobby to splendidly outfitted guest rooms, Spanish Court is - along with its neighbour to to the south, Altamont Court - part of the very best of Kingston's elite small business resorts - well-equipped but with a homey feel.

In between, there's the former Hilton, newly re-minted as a Wyndham property under new owner Delroy Howell. On Friday, it was the scene of the media launch of the Saint International Style Week, set to dazzle the world from July 9 through 11 (the Donkeycart will be on the scene).

Style Week and Saint boss Deiwght Peters and Co. made the case for Jamaica, and Kingston in particular, as the cultural capital of the hemisphere and the logical choice for a premier fashion event, which will include the traffic-stopping FASHIONBLOCK come Sunday July 11, with the promenade of New Kingston's Knutsford Boulevard turned into a giant runway fro the best in Jamaican couture design.

There's lots more to come form the capital - and its all good. Stay tuned to turbodonkeycart as we take you through the breadth and depth of the "city that stays ahead"