Rainforest Seafoods principals Brian and Shelagh Jardim opened the doors of their beautiful second-city home to industry partners and clients for Fresh, an exclusive tasting of offerings from their Scottish partner, Loch Fyne Oysters.

The event took place last Thursday evening, mere metres from the Montego Bay headquarters of the Caribbean’s largest processor and supplier of premium quality seafood. Under their Fresh by Rainforest brand, the company introduced fresh, never- frozen, seafood options of several varieties of fish as well as molluscs like scallops, mussels and oysters.

Loch Fyne Oysters supplies high-end quality seafood to Michelin-starred restaurants and prestigious retailers such as Selfridges in the United Kingdom and Berlin’s celebrated KaDeWe Seafood Market. Their offerings are also the preferred choice of first-class international flights, Formula 1 Racing and UEFA Champions League sporting events.

Palates were seduced with salmon, halibut, oysters and mussels which were perfectly complemented with wines from Select Brands.

The salmon station (there were three) offered whiskey-infused, gin-infused, bradan rost, beetroot, gravadlax and classic smoked. Alamos Chardonnay was poured with the salt-encrusted whole salmon, Meiomi Pinot Noir with the smoked, and Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc with the salmon tartar. Kung Fu Girl Riesling was paired with the halibut en papillotte, Ruffino Prosecco with oysters and Whispering Angel Rosé with the steamed mussels.

Brian Jardim, CEO, Rainforest Seafoods, in addressing guests, spoke about the advantages and opportunities that the partnership presents in light of the quick delivery time and the added feature of never-frozen seafood to the company’s portfolio.

“Traditionally, we have been fresh frozen but what we get from Loch Fyne is fresh on ice, never frozen. Indeed, the mussels and oysters are delivered alive! This presents so many opportunities for us, through their model of from-boat-to-throat in 72 hours delivered all over the world to the finest eateries. What this means for our industry partners is that we have the best quality available, especially for those special occasions such as grand openings, Presidents’ Club dinners and Michelin Star Chef series. We are delighted with this partnership as it has checked all the boxes for us, allowing us to kick it up notch in our offerings,” Jardim explained.

Simon Briggs, sales director, Loch Fyne Oysters, explained that the brand was equally pleased to be associated with Rainforest Seafoods.

“Our products are all over the world and we have been fortunate to be associated with some of the best restaurants and chefs. We are also very fortunate to be working with this professional organisation. This partnership is important for us, for Jamaica and the Caribbean, which is an important market for us,” Briggs stated.

Formalities over, industry players further delighted in seafood offerings ‘so fresh they’re still alive!’

Thursday Food looks forward to an abundance of Fresh seafood and applauds Rainforest Seafoods on this latest initiative.

— Aceion Cunningham