The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards was a smashing success, not only for the patrons who delighted in the scrumptious fare offered by our cooking wunderkinds, but also for the chefs and entrepreneurs whose hard work and culinary mastership make our home-bred cuisine some of the best in the world. Below we hear from our winners and nominees in the Best New Food Item Category who let us in on all the fantastic feedback they’ve received since their participation in the event.

Heneka Watkis-Porter

10 Fyah Side

I must say this is truly a fabulous opportunity for our new line of products. To be nominated was more than enough for us; we see this as a great accomplishment and that we are winners.

It was my first time at the event; one that was obviously put together with much thought and meticulousness. Kudos to the organisers who all played their part in ensuring that the event was an excellent one. I walked away knowing that my products have been exposed to more persons who are all potential customers.

Averell French

Mount Pleasant Farms Chocolatiers

I want to say thanks to the Jamaica Observer for the opportunity to take part in such a lovely event and thanks for the award in the category Best New Food Item.

It was a fantastic evening and the response has been amazing from the many patrons who visited our booth. I have been getting tons of email from persons wanting to order our products and to know more about it.

Dorrienne Rowan-Campbell

Rowan’s Royale

I Got a lot of patrons stopping by the booth and potential orders. Thanks to the Observer for letting me showcasing my products at the 16th staging of the Awards.

Lisa Binns

Stush in the Bush

The Jamaica Observer Food Awards — what an experience from start to finish! A coming together of all things food — the personalities, the chefs, the suppliers, the restaurants, the elegantly draped booths. Indeed, TASTE IT! EAT IT! DRINK IT! APPLAUD IT! Our Grilled Pizza with fresh arugula, Vegan Basil Pesto, Fried Green Plantain Chips with our Chimichurri Sauce, and Vegan Chocolate Cake with STUSH Passion Fruit Butter were divine. Chefs came up suggesting use for our products at their restaurants. There was a call from a soon-to-open restaurant in Ochi requesting our products for their chefs and tables. There’s also the possibility of being on Parts Unknown (an American travel and food show). Mr. Loshushan (Loshushan, Sovereign, Progressive) swooned over the passion fruit butter and declared, “barcodes please! As soon as possible.” Live Stush wants to do a feature on Stush in the Bush, and other collaborations are being proposed. Chefs (Steve Sowa, Mark Scott, Teddy Reader, etc.) are coming to the Farm to tour, taste and cook. There’s a healthy food documentary with chef-on-the-Rise Conroy Arnold. We’ve gotten invites from Brooklyn Supermarket, General Foods Kingston, and there are many folks calling about tasting tours and lunches. The response on Facebook has been wonderfully supportive and we are definitely blessed. When folks walked up to our tent on the night of the Awards and said ours was the best food they had all night or insisted that our products changed the way they eat, a slow smile spread from ear to ear! That is why we do what we do! We can’t thank the Observer enough for the support, the recognition, and the win. Cheers!

Donna Noble

Mountain Blue Farms — Belcour Preserves and Woodford Market Garden

Congratulations on a wonderful show, and the opportunities it provides in highlighting local products. The interest at our booth was very promising, and we are very grateful for the exposure as we launch our Mountain Blue line in the coming months.

Cheryl Holdsworth

Cherbutters of Jamaica

I would like to thank the Observer for the opportunity that was given to me and my team to showcase our products at the glitzy affair through our nomination. It has brought us new business, including catering for baby showers, parties, etc., and invites from specialty stores wishing to carry the products, and a demand for me to brand and market the “Big Man Ting” smoothie, the vegan brownies, the almond butter granola bars, the mango cashew butter balls and the pumpkin seed granola bars. I personally congratulated the winners and thought they were well deserving of such an honour. We are still a young company and have a far way to go. I owe the Observer a debt of gratitude for getting us a foot in the door.