PURVEYORS of Tastee Patty for decades, Vincent and Valerie Chang, and Stush in the Bush principals Lisa and Chris Binns, will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement and Chairman’s Awards, respectively, at tonight’s Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards.

Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards — the Caribbean’s most prestigious food event which is celebrating its 18th anniversary — will pay homage to food industry players whose contributions continue to play an integral role in defining high quality offerings and superb service delivery.

The Tastee Patty empire was founded by Vincent Chang in 1966 with its first location in Union Square, Cross Road, Kingston 5.

Chang discovered his talent for the craft of baking after working at the Hannah Town Bakery in Kingston for four years.

It is now 50 years since the first customer bit into its legendary golden, flaky crust, and in that half-century Tastee has cultivated a steadfast presence in the national diet and consciousness. Indeed, for decades the word patty was synonymous with the Tastee brand!

Zionities Organic Farm, home of Stush in the Bush, was started five years ago on lands bequeathed to Chris Binns by his grandaunt, Mama Walker. Together with his wife, Lisa, the couple has created an enchanting oasis in Free Hill, St Ann.

Aptly named Stush in the Bush, the breathtaking property located 2,000 feet above sea level, is a place where a family’s culinary experience will be one to talk about. Products from the farm, including Blow Fyah Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce, Passion Fruit Vinaigrette, Mango Lime Ginger Vinaigrette and Passion Fruit Butter, are among the items that you get with your meals, or to take away. Supported by a community of family and friends, the Binns have moved from organic farming to making products from farm to table.

The Food Awards, which recognises the best in the culinary and beverage industry across a spread of much sought-after nominated categories, will this year present close to 70 exhibitors that will include the country’s premier restaurants, hotels, alcoholic and food brands. The awards will take place on the East Lawns of the iconic Kingston landmark, Devon House.