After a fiery Picante staging on Saturday evening, The Jamaica Food + Drink Festival (JFDF) came to a cool close on Sunday with Brunch + Jazz at Clifton Mount Estate. The 4,300 ft-high venue — owned by the Sharp Family — remains the oldest-functioning coffee estate in the world. Quite apropos as the festival — now in its eighth year — continues to elevate Jamaica’s gastronomical experiences. Cradled in the heart of the Blue Mountains on the misty slopes of Catherine’s Peak, the ‘secret location’ revealed a Trudi Hamilton-designed all-white brunch setting accented with straw and adorned with alstroemeria from the gardens of the estate, and comfortably housed under a 40′ x 50′ tent.

With an array of tantalising fare from chefs Charissa Skyers, Christina Simonitsch, Simon Levy, and Dominic Pearson, dessert by Dawn Mitchell, alongside the world’s best coffee, fizz-fuelled drinks from Select Brands and saxophonist Barbara Brandford touring the venue while taking requests, Brunch + Jazz guests agreed that the experience powered by NCB Capital Markets was well worth the ascent.

Page 2 walks you around a few tables.