Thursday Life recently asked, “Who won the coveted Caterer of the Year Award at this year’s Jamaica Observer Food Awards?” for the chance to WIN, WIN, WIN a catered Christmas lunch for 20 by Lorraine Fung with desserts by Chocolate Dreams, sorrel courtesy of Tru Juice and wine poured by our resident wine pro Chris Reckord. This year’s winner is Ingrid McBean of RBTT Telephone Service Centre who shared the luncheon with 19 of her besties.

Emails poured in as Jamaica Observer readers from the Corporate Jamaica vied for the coveted opportunity to have Jamaica Observer Food Awards Caterer of the Year create for her and her co-workers (20 in all), a holiday spread fit for a King (or queen, in this case). The delicious Christmas lunch for 20 was to be catered by award-winning caterer Lorraine Fung, with dessert provided by Michelle Smith of Chocolate Dreams and wine poured by wine connoisseur Chris Reckord.

The simple question to be answered: Who won the coveted Caterer of the Year Award at this year’s Jamaica Observer Food Awards?

Many tried, but the early bird who caught the much-desired worm turned out to be Ingrid McBean of the RBTT Telephone Service Centre, located at their Dominica Drive head office.

The menu began with Supreme Seafood soup accompanied by toasted slices of French baguette with garlic parsley butter rounds, after which they were served an entrée of Jerk Basil Tomato Grilled Shrimp, beds of Herbed Linguini, rounds of Veggie Polenta and an assortment of grilled Garden Vegetables — zucchini, Brussels sprouts, carrots, garden peas and baby corn. Lorraine wasn’t finished yet, as dishes of Deboned Chicken Breast stuffed with Sweet Potato and Craisins, sprinkled with Cinnamon Dust and finished with a Tru-Juice Pineapple and Honey Glaze were next set on the table, along with her Country-style Dutchie Pot Roasted Pimento Pork with Tru-Juice Sorrel Conserve, garnished with sorrel pods, Florentine Lasagne Rolls and Tropical Veggie Rice.

Assistant acting supervisor Leisa Young commented, “It was very tasty and I’m always intrigued by the variety of foods. Knowing also that we’re using our same local foods, creating it into something that you could have overseas — that’s very commendable. We have people here who are so talented, bringing you things that are beyond the ordinary.” Manager Milton McPherson, too, had rave reviews for the Lorraine Fung meal saying, “The meal was excellent; a big difference from what I’m used to. I wouldn’t mind having this for the rest of the festive season!”

With the assistance of Bin26’s Chris Reckord, Michelle Smith of Chocolate Dreams, Rainforest Seafood and Tru-Juice, Ingrid and her besties relished the delightful fare and wonderful experience that the occasion brought.

And, following the wonderful meal enjoyed by all, McBean thanked the Jamaica Observer for giving her and her co-workers the opportunity to share a meal such as this, for making The Jamaica Observer “the newspaper to be read”, as well as for giving them the chance to meet some of these fantastic people that they read about in the paper.

Ingrid remained in high spirits as she escorted us to the elevators, and said to herself aloud, “I think I may win it again next year.”