GRAND CAYMAN —The Best Dressed Chicken and Jamaica Observer today announced the inaugural staging of the Cayman Islands edition of the Table Talk Food Awards, scheduled to take place on October 16, 2015.

The Awards will be adjudicated by an esteemed panel of food and wine professionals and aficionados to recognise excellence in the Cayman food industry and highlight new frontiers of flavour — from famous dining places to unexpected hideaways.

Christopher Levy, President and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group—whose flagship brand The Best Dressed Chicken is the presenting sponsor—said: “As we seek to strengthen our presence in the Cayman Islands, there really is no better way to underscore our interest and support of the food industry than by presenting The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards. This event has always delivered in a big way as an outstanding food experience, and this is also an important opportunity for us to recognise the considerable talents and efforts of those involved in the Cayman food industry.”

Now in its 17th year, The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards is recognised as the most prestigious one-night celebration of food in Jamaica. The distinguished event has long set its sights on recognising Caribbean culinary talent, having hosted and acknowledged chefs and restaurateurs from around the region. The Cayman Islands is the second Caribbean island outside of Jamaica to host the Awards, following Trinidad and Tobago in 2013.

“Even as we acknowledge the differences in each island, our shared heritage compels us to define one identity for Caribbean cuisine. In many ways this is the mission of The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards and we are delighted that with the support of The Best Dressed Chicken we are able to welcome the Cayman Islands into the fold,” said Novia McDonald Whyte, Senior Associate Editor – Lifestyle and Social Content at Jamaica Observer and Table Talk Food Awards conceptualiser.

To ensure the event establishes a significant impact, the Cayman Islands edition of The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards has enlisted the expertise of some of the island’s most knowledgeable culinary experts and wine enthusiasts for the judges’ panel. They are: Jo Ann P Stephens, attorney-at-law; David Stephens, entrepreneur; Jeremy Hurst, international realtor; Richard Barton, attorney-at-law; Maureen Cubbon, chef; Pamela Small, business executive; Alan Markoff, journalist; Catherine Guilbard, entrepreneur; Sebastien Guilbard, restaurateur; Eric Bush, government administrator; and Olivia Scott Ramirez, business executive.

The judges will make selections in a wide range of categories including Best Chef and Restaurant of the Year. There will also be the People’s Choice Award to recognise popular food spots, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award to acknowledge a personal legacy of formidable contribution to food in the Cayman Islands.

“The Best Dressed Chicken and Jamaica Observer are without a doubt the very best names in food in Jamaica. The opportunity to bring The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards to the Cayman Islands means that we will be able to recognise the culinary greats within the industry and applaud their efforts in creating exceptional dining experiences,” said Joan Forrest Henry, Divisional Sales Manager, The Best Dressed Chicken. “More significantly, we anticipate that Cayman’s vibrant food culture will embrace this event as their own, leading to further growth in the industry.”