Seventeen CARIMAC students were treated to a gourmet three-course luncheon to kick- off the fifth annual Jamaica Observer Limited Applaud It! luncheon series. The week-long event gives industry leaders the opportunity to break bread with the next generation while exposing them to social and dining skills. This year’s launch was hosted by Jamaica Observer Limited Managing Director Danville Walker in the company’s boardroom. Joining Walker were four of the newspaper’s senior members of staff — Financial Controller Donnalee Findlay, head of advertising and marketing Natalie Chin, Logistics and Distribution Manager Christopher Johnson and Applaud It! conceptualiser and Senior Associate Editor – Lifestyle and Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte.

The event started promptly at noon and as guests settled into their seats around the well-laid boardroom table servers poured glasses of fresh fruit punch and coconut water. The meal, prepared by award-winning caterer Celeste Gordon, began with a Caprese salad with bacon gremolata and balsamic reduction. Two slices of squeaky mozzarella were sandwiched between slices of vine-ripened tomatoes, topped with a crunchy and herbaceous bacon gremolata and finished with a generous drizzle of syrupy balsamic reduction.

This was followed by a substantial main course — rack of lamb with mint chimichurri, served alongside pan-fried garlic potatoes and roasted root vegetables. The lamb was perfectly cooked with a nice pink centre, naturally, and the earthiness of the toothsome vegetables and brightness of the mint chimichurri made for a delightful dish. The meal was rounded out by a decadent chocolate mousse that would need to have a slew of adjectives in front of it that print cannot contain, to really do it justice. As if this wasn’t enough, guests, too, got to indulge in the commemorative Applaud It! light fruit cake made by go-to cake maker Selena Wong.

The Applaud It! launch event perfectly set the tone for the 2018 iteration. Besides hobnobbing with industry leaders and learning etiquette skills, participants will also have the opportunity to partake of some really good food. Thursday Food has highlights.