Seventeen years ago, the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards sought to make a statement that food in Jamaica was worthy of recognition.

Our statement then, as it is now, was that there is a world of creativity and excellence in food.

Back then, there was one important element missing — there was no vehicle to applaud the efforts of the hundreds of thousands of people who work in the food industry in Jamaica. That belief has fuelled the drive to amplify the Food Awards experience each year. That belief also fuels sustainability, and now in our 17th year we are thrilled and honoured to welcome Cayman to the fold.

Save the date, Friday, October 16, 2015, and get ready to Taste and Applaud the food industry of Cayman.

A Two-Year Reduction…

What started as a conversation two years ago came to fruition last week Thursday, March 19 at the Marriott Hotel, Cayman when the Jamaica Observer and The Best Dressed Chicken announced the inaugural staging of the Cayman Islands edition of the Table Talk Food Awards, slated to take place on Friday, 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, 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.”

To ensure the event has 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 David Stephens, entrepreneur; Richard Barton, attorney-at-law; Jo Ann P Stephens, 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 the legacy of formidable contribution to food in the Cayman Islands.

“The Best Dressed Chicken and the 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. More significantly, we anticipate that Cayman’s vibrant food culture will embrace this event as their own, leading to further growth in the industry,” said Joan Forrest-Henry, divisional sales manager, The Best Dressed Chicken.