As we get ready to celebrate two decades of excellence in food service, delivery and presentation, we are stepping out boldly and starting our countdown this year by encouraging all to take a long, hard look at our culinary landscape — how far we have come, and, naturally, the possibilities.

Our initial focus has been on our chefs, the master architects of our island’s intoxicating flavours who are charged to introduce our island fare to us and visitors to our shores.The Caribbean, with its fresh fruits and natural organic soil, is still not an in-demand destination for food. Why? Because we have not given it our all… Let’s do so now as we declare Jamaica the epicentre of food and generate a global buzz while we eat our way around our beloved country. Giving it our all means identifying a minimum of one restaurant each week and lending financial support. The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards committee leads by example, so from our Parish Gems to Stirring The Pot we ask you to join us, or start your own tour. Share your findings with us and, when we meet on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Formal Gardens of Devon House, let us all compare notes with the scores of the judges.The 2017 Stirring The Pot Tour is sponsored by Serge Island and iCool.The obvious assumption of a food trek to Manchester is a visit to the renowned Melrose Hill Yam Place, along the highway leading into the town of Mandeville, for roasted yam and salt fish.While always an enjoyable experience, our Stirring The Pot tour took us past that favourite haunt and into the heart of the town where Regie’s Fine Dining awaited us.Known more for its cool weather and quiet surroundings, Mandeville, and the island’s south coast by extension, is poised for a ‘gastronomic expansion’, said restaurant manager Victorine McDaniel-Peterkin, before quickly adding that Regie’s is ready to take advantage of that development. The nearby sprawling communities of returning residents do not hurt its chances of success, either.The extensive menu — which included starters of delicious cream of pumpkin soup, a hearty seafood chowder made with Serge 100% Pure Cow’s Milk, and flavourful fish broth that Food Awards judge Pauline Edie raved about well into the next course — promised a delightful experience at the establishment which opened in 2010.Good-to-the-bone barbecue ribs, thoroughly enjoyed by Food Awards judge Josina Jackson, steamed red snapper and grilled smoked pork chops delivered on the promise made early — Regie’s Fine Dining is a hidden gem ready to be shown to the world! 37 Main Street (Behind the Villa)Mandeville, Manchester Opening Hours:Monday – Saturday11:00 am – 10:30 pm Contact: 285-6605Email:regiebistro@live.com