A Taste of Italy unveils next week Friday, October 30, and it’s all systems go. Thursday Life was at the table Tuesday afternoon for a final wine and food pairing. With classic Italian wines from the Masi Winery ready to be poured @ 23 Dominica Drive, home of J Wray & Nephew, and chef Celeste Gordon and restaurateur Lisa-Gaye Chin in the kitchen the only words left to say were: Buon Appetito and Cin Cin!

[1st TASTING]

Fig, goat cheese, and prosciutto salad with romaine hearts and a balsamic reduction by Fromage Gourmet Market chef/owner Lisa-Gaye Chin and her executive sous-chef Nicoy Williamson.

Category: Red, White & You

Paired with: Masi Masianco Pinot Grigio

FEEDBACK:

Everything pairs so nicely together; it’s a perfect fit. Fromage never disappoints. – Alicia Bogues, CB Foods brand manager

This is good. We’ll be back! – Debbie-Ann Williams, partnership and community relations officer-marketing and brand management, Jamaica National Building Society

The goat cheese certainly brought out the citrus flavours like [Chesna] said it would. – Melissa Harper, marketing and brand management event specialist, Jamaica National Building Society

[2nd TASTING]

Red wine risotto with a seafood medley: shrimp, octopus, scallops, and mussels, finished with butter by Whip It Up Catering Company chefs Celeste Gordon and Siri Saunders.

Category: Red, White & You

Paired with: Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico

FEEDBACK:

Without the cream base that I’m accustomed to, the risotto is a little lighter, but it’s wonderful! – Nastassia Hall, retail store and operations team leader, JWN Academy

It’s divine. Because of the pairing, you wouldn’t even have known [Celeste] made the dish with red wine, it’s amazing! – Kim Bernard, Stewart Motors brand and sales manager

The Masi Valpolicella is pretty light, and has a residual sugary note that complements the seafood. – Debbian Spence-Minott, JWN Academy retail operations manager

[3rd TASTING]

Lamb ragu bucatini by Fromage Gourmet Market chef/owner Lisa-Gaye Chin and her executive sous-chef Nicoy Williamson

Category: Red, White & You

Paired with: Masi Campofiorin

FEEDBACK:

This is fantastic, Chesna! – Nastassia Hall, retail store and operations team leader, JWN Academy

This is definitely my favourite wine. – Alicia Bogues, CB Foods brand manager

Silence when eating is a good sign… the wine and food pairing is a perfect combination that prepares you for the creamy saucy pasta. – Pietro Gramegna, marketing manager – white spirits & beers

I was a bit hesitant, because I’m not a fan of red wine, but once I tasted [it], I felt the flavours explode in my mouth – Debbie-Ann Williams, partnership and community relations officer – marketing and brand management, Jamaica National Building Society

I’ve taken a photo of the bottle to find it in the supermarkets. – Melissa Harper, event specialist – marketing and brand management, Jamaica National Building Society