OVER 40 spectacularly designed mini-restaurant and catering houses allowed hundreds of food lovers to sample fare from the popular Jamaican patty to Middle Eastern hummus at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards held on the East lawns of Devon House in Kingston Thursday night.

In the beverage category J Wray and Nephew, which has sponsored the event for the last five years, provided a spectacular international bar. There was also Red Stripe the world’s coolest beer, Ting, the wonderful grapefruit classic, as well as Catherine Peak water and Yardie Shandy exhibits.

Children were not to be left out as a group of youngsters led by Emma Crichton had turkey and salami subs made in the shape of a snake. They also had biscuit treats shaped as skyscrapers with candy-cane gardens.

But the gourmands — restaurateurs, chefs and the novice alike — did not just come to eat but also to applaud the 2002 winners:

* Chef of the year — Dennis McIntosh of the Ritz Carlton;

* The best kept secret — Dickies One Stop, last bend to Port Antonio;

* The best lunch spot — Norma’s, at Whitehall Avenue;

* Best Chinese restaurant — China Express;

* Best brunch — Terranova;

* Best condiment — Busha Browne’s pineapple and ginger preserve;

* Best new restaurant — Cocunuts Cafe and Bar, Ocho Rios;

* Best service — the restaurants of Ritz Carlton, Montego Bay;

* Best decor — Margaritaville in Ocho Rios;

* Restaurant of the year — the Ritz Carlton’s Jasmine Room;

* Best bar — Margaritaville;

* Total shopping experience — Sovereign, Liguanea.

* Lifetime food award — Red Stripe beer.

The “Observer 10”-year anniversary Jamaican Classics awards went to Tastee Patty, Pickapeppa Sauce, Red Stripe beer, J Wray and Nephew white rum; Stone’s Ginger Wine and Excelsior Water Crackers.

The Chairman’s Award to chef extraordinaire and culinary ambassador Norma Shirley.