A high point of any artisan’s career is the recognition he/she receives from his peers and the public.

For Trevanne Donegal, Alexa Von Strolley and Allison Porter-Smalling, that recognition could not have come at a better time. Along with their ‘Best New Caterer of the Year’ title won at the recently held Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards sponsor Frigidaire surprised each of the caterers with 30-inch Frigidaire Professional® free-standing ranges for their businesses.

“I absolutely love it! Frigidaire is a good brand,” remarked Donegal about her good fortune.

Donegal, who recently purchased a Frigidaire side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator, said apart from the obvious efficiency her new Frigidaire Professional® free-standing range would add to her dessert catering business, the clean look and feel of it would tie in nicely with her refrigerator.

Frigidaire unveiled items from its newly launched Frigidaire Professional® line of products at the Food Awards. The full line will become available later this month, at retailers islandwide.

For Porter-Smalling and Von Strolley, it was an equally happy and “unexpected” gesture, but a welcomed addition to their kitchens, as they said the appliances would come in handy in their young businesses that were now positioned for growth.

The awards are being viewed as validation of the women’s work and a platform on which they can further expose their craft.

“This is validation for something I’ve been doing for some time now. It’s just nice to have the win. It’s been totally overwhelming!” said Donegal, whose Layer Cake catering company has been the specialty treats provider of sweet treats at Kingston’s Cru Bar for the last two years.

For Porter-Smalling, “winning is just the icing on the cake”.

“It just humbles you [as] there are so many good chefs out there,” said the proprietor of Ally’s Kitchens, who is passionate about fusing gourmet with Jamaican cuisine.

Von Strolley described the overall experience as “gratifying”.