The South Beach Wine and Food Festival is the largest such event in this part of the world, so when we learnt that the official closing event was going to be a reggae party hosted by celebrity guest chef Guy Fieri with Ziggy Marley, featuring food prepared by Ortanique and friends (these friends turned out to be our own local chefs), we had to be there.

With Marley music in the air, and the colours red, green and gold dominating the décor, South Beach was definitely feeling the Jamaican vibe last weekend as Delius Shirley and Cindy Hutson of Ortanique On The Mile, Coral Gables, Florida, invited a number of their friends to help cook for the 3,000 persons who filled the big tent on the beach at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

Flying in from Jamaica to show off their culinary skills were Anna-Kay Tomlinson of Miss T’s Ocho Rios; Gariel Ferguson, G’s BBQ, Kingston; and Colin Hylton, Guilt Trip, Kingston. A number of friends, supporters, well-wishers and foodies made the trek to South Florida to join in the excitement on the beach. Richard Hammond of Hammond’s Bakery, Miami Gardens, offered Angus Beef Jamaican patties that disappeared as quickly as they were put out.

There was no doubt that a good time was had by all in attendance. The crowd certainly responded favourably when Guy Fieri hit the stage to introduce Ziggy Marley, and the screams, when Ziggy Marley hit the stage were deafening. The single complaint were the super-long lines to sample the tasty dishes from their favourite chefs. It was, thankfully, worth the wait.

Don’t miss it next year!