The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel has established The Regency Room as not only one of Kingston’s chicest spaces, but also one that offers an exceptional dining experience.

Its city-chic-meets-Old World-charm gives it its lucrative appeal, making it a preferred spot for corporate execs and socialites alike. The crafting of exquisite menus and wine pairings, raising the service level and the detailed eye of celebrated interior and food and beverage consultant Ardelle Dalla Costa have resulted in the hotel getting the nod from Goût de France to be part of 1300 chefs on five continents, on the same day creating a unique French dinner to celebrate French cuisine.

“It’s a major endorsement by celebrated Monégasque chef Alaine Ducasse. Yes, he of the multiple-Michelin star-holding restaurants at the Dorchester,” shared Dalla Costa. Ducasse hmself has approved the menu for the Good France or Goût de France epicurean event that takes place on Thursday, March 19 here in the Regency Room.

“The menu was submitted in mid-December (2014) and our success at being nominated was confirmed on February 2. Having a menu approved by a committee headed by the famed Chef Alain Ducasse is quite an achievement and we would like to think the participation in the Goût de France/ Good France event a noteworthy accolade for Jamaican cuisine,” continued Dalla Costa.

“When approached by the French Embassy to submit a menu for the Goût de France/Good France event we were at once flattered and apprehensive but felt that this was a natural fit and that we were ready for the challenge. So we cast our fortunes to the wind and started the process,” she added.

There were guidelines to be followed as far as the number and type of courses to be offered and chefs were encouraged to be creative with a menu that would showcase French gastronomy, using high-quality local products and the staff’s various tried and proven methods.

She laueds the work of Chef Swaby and the team who will be putting plans in place for a superb evening.

“Under the direction of Chef Swaby the kitchen brigade has worked tirelessly at honing skills, always with a view to producing menus that bring together the flavours and ingredients of the Caribbean using traditional French methods of cooking,” she said.

She added, too, that the confidence comes from the various accolades that her team has attained.

“It is important to note that the cuisine coupled with the impeccable dining room service has initiated The Terra Nova to be honoured numerous times at The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards, which has bolstered kitchen confidence and indeed encouraged the pursuit of excellence.

“This is a first. We are a little nervous, as one always is when the expectations are great but mostly we are excited, proud and filled with anticipation of a memorable evening,” she said.

Goût de France takes place for the first time in Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday, March 19 and is a formal

six-course,

wine-paired dinner. The cost is US $175.00 per person and

part-proceeds will go to the Food for the Poor organisation.