Seafood during Lent is always a good idea. But relishing 13 seafood dishes, paired with 13 wine options, plus an array of delectable desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth is even better! What’s more, is doing all of this in the company of fellow epicureans and wine connoisseurs.

This was the scene last Friday as Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen staged Catch + Cork seafood and wine festival at its Progressive Shopping Centre Liguanea location.

Presenting sponsor Rainforest Caribbean — whose products have found favour with many this Lenten season — offered a spectacular seafood spread that kicked off with cups of creamy, rich, seafood chowder, followed by smoked salmon canapés, and conch & sweet corn fritters from award-winning Chef Celeste Gordon.

Also repping for Rainforest Caribbean was yet another multi-award-winning culinarian, notably Charissa Henry-Skyers of Pink Apron, whose perfectly seared Vietnamese salmon served with coconut lemongrass rice, and spicy prawns complemented by a crisp, refreshing watermelon and feta salad got rave reviews.

It was Rainforest sushi master Eliseo “Oggie” Caliguia’s sushi bar however, with an array of sushi rolls that had guests returning for seconds (and thirds) all night long.

And if you’ve ever wanted to master the pan-flip move like a pro, cooks Demar Wilson and Jevonie McLeod offered a free tutorial at the Barilla station, serving plates of steamy puttanesca to wrap the event in fine style.

Naturally, the evening’s pours were courtesy of Select wines. The Seprod and Leanne’s Sweet Tooth stand was the evening’s icing on the cake.