The ever-so-affable Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica Celsa Nuno hosted an intimate gathering last Wednesday at her upper St Andrew residence for a gourmet dinner that amounted to a civilised evening.

The dinner, part of the Spanish Embassy’s commemoration of Food Month, was specially prepared by the chefs and team from the Gran Bahia Principe Hotel led by the Runaway Bay-based hotel’s General Manager Ricardo Esteban.

Ahead of the utterly divine six-course meal, the evening’s guests — a mix of financiers, developers, state and media power brokers — sipped cocktails and traded mid-week convo. Nuno then ushered guests to the table for a gastronomic repast that brilliantly paired Spanish and Jamaican cuisine. The dinner’s third course: a rustic bread muffin stuffed with ‘Spanish Tortilla’ on a Jamaican Sea (which fashioned an edible Jamaican flag on the base of the plate) elicited much praise from guests.

By the time dessert — a volcano-shaped cream mousse and coconut dacquisse was served — the verdict around the table was unanimous: well done, indeed!

Thursday Life brings you inside the kitchen and at the table for the Spanish Ambassador’s ‘culinary tour’ dinner.

The Menu

Cheese and Mulberry ‘Likkle’ Balls Zucchini, Banana and Smoked Salmon ‘Lollipop’, Duck and Raspberry Candy

Pumpkin ‘Warm Gazpacho’ with Tartar of Pineapple and Marinated Shrimp and Foie Foam

Rustic Bread Muffin stuffed with ‘Spanish Tortilla’ on Jamaican Sea

Lobster Tenderloin on a bed of ‘Paella Valencia’

Passion Fruit and Green Apple Sorbet

Instant ‘Grilled Jerk’ over Edible Coals

‘Appleton Estate — 12 Years’ Cream Mousse on Coconut ‘Dacquisse’ with a texture of Blue Mountain Coffee and Jackfruit ‘Coulis’ accompanied by Rum and Raisin Ice Cream

The guest list

Phillip and Christine Gore

Kelly Tomblin and Steve Morgan

Wykeham McNeill and Sheila Benjamin-McNeill

Ian Moore and Dr Rosemary Weismann-Moore

Donovan and Michelle Perkins

Danville and Sharon Walker

Christopher and Isabelle Barnes

Glynne Manley

Novia McDonald Whyte

Chester Francis Jackson