Financier James Goren and his journalist wife Manuela, along with the Victoria Mutual Wealth Management team led by General Manager Devon Barrett, hosted a pre-Thanksgiving Salut! dinner at the Gorens’ Stella by the Sea Tryall Club Villa. Those on the guest list — a veritable who’s who of both local and international influencers — enjoyed pre-dinner drinks from the premium bar and a range of delectable hors d’oeuvres that included lobster fritters with a mango yoghurt dip; sweet potato crab cakes with a passion fruit aioli and spoonfuls of seared sushi tuna, on the lower deck while violinist José Salgado provided entertainment.

This would be the precursor to a fabulous five-course dinner presented by The Tryall Club Executive Chef Ansel Beason and his team. Wines selected by James Goren were Beaujolais Villages Louis Jadot for the herb-crusted lamb chops and the Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc from California, which perfectly complemented the pan-seared fillet of grouper.

(PHOTOS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)