Lunch was served for 20 at Upper Manor Park wine bar and bistro Cellar 8 last Thursday afternoon, a deliciously entertaining affair hosted by Seprod Chief Executive Officer Richard Pandohie, for a group of the island’s chefs/ caterers.

The meal was prepared by Cellar 8’s Executive Chef Ramesh Maragh and his support team of Javan Brown and Sheldon Rattingan, who collaborated to deliver a blend of cuisines Maragh credited as “a fusion of French, Asian and a dash of Jamaica”.Each course was paired with Betco Premier Limited red and white selections from the Californian vineyards of the Conundrum label, and were introduced by Fabian Graham, co-principal of the 25-year-old Jamaica wine distribution company.The first course opened with a red and white miso soup with Scotch bonnet pepper, roasted shrimp, kimchi and roasted peanuts, which segued into the main of a ginger and green onion-infused flank steak with a red snapper rollatini served with a pumpkin purée, crispy onions and bell peppers topped with a roasted corn succotash. Conversation turned to the state of the local culinary landscape, with those at table articulating their desire to carve out their own places in an ever-evolving craft that has now won recognition as a worthwhile profession.Joining Pandohie and his chef guests at the table were Table Talk Food Awards Chair Novia McDonald-Whyte, Musson Group of Companies Vice-Chair and Seprod director Melanie Subratie, newly appointed Seprod Marketing Manager Amanda Watson, CB Group Chief Operating Officer Matthew Lyn, Newport-Fersan Managing Director Dennis Valdez and Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association Executive Director Imega Breese McNab.The delightful afternoon came to an end with candied ripe plantain with an almond crisp and a blueberry cream served for dessert, and parting gift baskets of Serge and Betty products presented by Seprod’s Marketing Manager Amanda Watson.