Corporate Jamaica has thrown its support behind the Jamaica Observer-driven initiative Salut! — a three-week-long celebration of caterers, fast food restaurants and wine purveyors — that begins this Sunday, October 21. The food and wine celebration’s sponsors, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), Carreras and Best Dressed Chicken, gave ringing endorsements of Salut! at the event’s breakfast launch yesterday in the Observer’s boardroom.

Kelly Tomblin, president and chief executive officer of JPS, said in spite of the utility company’s tightening budgetary restrictions this year, there was little hesitation to renew their sponsorship for Salut!’s second staging. “It’s important for corporations to support businesses as it helps to stimulate the economy and we’re pleased to partner once more with the Observer,” the JPS CEO noted.

Best Dressed Chicken brand manager and self-professed ‘foodie’ Cordia Williams said her company’s participation in Salut!’s debut last year proved a win-win situation. “We had great traction from participating, as the feedback we received from clients and customers was really exceptional,” Williams noted.

Meanwhile, Carreras corporate and regulatory affairs executive Ashleigh Robotham, noted that given the organisation’s track record of supporting the arts, it was only prudent they sponsor Salut! as it celebrates the culinary arts and our talented caterers.

Salut! conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte .. lauded present Jamaica the to corporate use Observer this sponsors platform to not and only provided challenged support by each the all other but to raise the culinary bar.

Addressing the launch that saw a mix of chefs, wine and spirits executives, and top brass from fast food franchises, Observer managing director Danville Walker stressed that even in the face of current recessionary times, it was important to not dwell on the negative.

“In tough times, millionaires are created,” Walker said. “That’s why we need to stick to our expertise, whether you’re a caterer or product provider, and focus on positivity and we’ll survive these tough times.”

In-between delicious bites of the From Thought To Finish-catered breakfast that included beef tenderloin wraps, chicken crêpes and shrimp in chilli sauce, the caterers in attendance swapped stories of their culinary journeys, with all expressing gratitude to the Observer for figuring prominently in their individual career successes.