THE inaugural staging of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards in Trinidad last weekend has won praise from Trinidadians, with one newspaper saying that it would have pleased that country’s most famous prime minister, the late Dr Eric Williams.

In a report on the awards headlined ‘T&T’s culinary experts chosen: winners hailed’, the Trinidad Express, in its online edition on Monday, said: “The late ‘Father of the Nation’ Dr Eric Williams would be beaming with pride and joy today were he alive, as Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica came together at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on Saturday night, if only to celebrate the islands’ culinary expertise at the inaugural Table Talk Food Awards.”

Reporting that the event was the brainchild of Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor for Lifestyle Novia McDonald-Whyte, the Express noted that awards were presented in 14 categories.

Judges included Peter Elias, Paul Prudent, Pixie Du Coudray, Rhys Campbell, Marie Clarke, Nyssa Pierre, Gracia Whyte and Joe Fernandes.

“I’ve travelled all over the region but somehow never made it to Trinidad, but now that I am here I can see and understand why Novia and other Jamaicans come here so often and why they all appear reluctant to return home as well…and I’m not taking about the tall buildings!” the Express story reported Observer Managing Director Danville Walker as saying in his address.

The Express said that Fernandes, in his remarks, saluted the nominees, who were selected from restaurants, bistros and bars all around the country.

“It was truly a fascinating experience, obliging us to look critically at the various fundamentals of what this food service industry is all about,” he said. “There were some surprises, but mostly we witnessed a dedicated group of passionate artisans and their supporting staff working ungodly hours — all in the name of fine cuisine. Hats off to you all.”

The winners were:

* Digicel People’s Choice Award for Best Street Food: D Green Shed (Debe)

* Best Bar Experience: DREAM Ultra Lounge & Bar

* Best Original Bacardi Mojito Experience: The RISE Restaurant & Bar

* Best Wine Experience: Buzo Osteria Italiana

* Best Sunday Brunch: The Waterfront Restaurant at Hyatt Regency

* Best Coffee Shop/Pastry/Dessert: Adam’s Bagels

* Best Decor: Buzo Osteria Italiana

* Best Lunch Value: Kariwak Village (Tobago)

* Best Dinner Value: Zazou Bistro Moderne

* Best Food Styling: Chaud Restaurant

* Best Service: Buzo Osteria Italiana

* Restaurant of the Year: Buzo Osteria Italiana

* Chef of the Year: Raymond Joseph (Courtyard Marriott, PoS)

* Scotiabank Award for Lifetime Achievement: Joe Brown

* Chairman’s Award: Bermudez Biscuit Co LtdClick here to visit our Food Awards T&T website