Le Bernardin Chef/Patron Eric Ripert, assisted by Chef Talcie Neil, helped himself to steamed callaloo. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Food, Lifestyle, Thursday Food

January 18, 2024

Jetting in for lunch @ GoldenEye

“A marriage of luxury and gastronomy” was the description given of the 15th annual Cayman Cookout 2024. It was deemed that and more by those who added lunch at GoldenEye to their itinerary.

It was a veritable “pinch me” moment for those who landed at the Ian Fleming International Airport early Thursday afternoon on Terry E Peabody’s private jet and were whisked away to GoldenEye for a Jamaican culinary affair complete with Craggy Range wines. Leading the group was Eric Ripert, chef/patron and visionary of New York City’s 3-Michelin star Le Bernardin.

Was he impressed? Indeed he was, based on his IG post made the very same day. “Special lunch experience in Jamaica!! Had such a wonderful time visiting the iconic @goldeneye resort for a beautiful and delicious lunch…

+ how cool was it that I got to sit in Ian Fleming’s Chair?”

So what does one serve a restaurateur whose establishment is hailed as one of the greatest in the world?

A decidely Jamaican spread prepared by Ian Fleming resident Chef Talcie Neil, that’s what! Food that is fresh, tasty and unique to the island. Food that tantalises the taste buds of the most discerning global travellers. Will people fly in ostensibly to dine?

Thursday Food has the receipts.

Canapés:

Jerked tomato, pressed plantains

Spicy ackee atop sweet potato chip

Soup

Carrot coconut gazpacho

Salad

Spicy kale salad

Main

Whole Jerk Fish

Chicken Fricassee

Curry Goat

Sides

Pumpkin Salad

Twice-Roasted Yam

Steamed Bammy

Stuffed Cho Cho

Steamed Callaloo

Roasted Sweet Plantain

Dessert

Banana Fritters w/warm Blackwell Rum

Coconut Vegan Ice Cream

Chocolate Bark

Guests (from left) David Peabody, director, Craggy Range Winery; Sir Nicholas Coleridge, formerly of Conde Nast; Don Green, Roots Canada co-founder; his designer wife Denyse; and Terry Peabody, owner of Craggy Range winery, helped themselves to local culinary offerings. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Guests seated in the Sunken Garden at the Ian Fleming Villa raise a toast to lunch in Jamaica. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Celebrated Chef Eric Ripert was welcomed to lunch at GoldenEye by CEO Marika Kessler. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Raising a toast to a wonderful culinary experience at Golden Eye were educator Jabari Davis and his wife Jennifer Clarke-Davis. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Ricardo Hewitt, operation manager at GoldenEye was delighted to share the story of jerk with foodie Pat Pierce, who flew in from Cayman for lunch. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Intrigued by the stuffed cho cho were Chris and Karen Luijten, who jetted in from Cayman for lunch at GoldenEye (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Diane and Dan Hennelly, who jetted in from Cayman for lunch at GoldenEye, were eager to sample the roasted sweet plantains. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Banana fritters with warm Blackwell Rum, a scoop of coconut vegan ice cream and chocolate bark brought lunch to a perfect close. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

One Love from the GoldenEye team who were joined by GoldenEye CEO Marika Kessler (front row, second left); Chef Eric Ripert (second row, fifth left); Graggy Range principals David Peabody (third right) and Terry Peabody (seventh) and Chef Talcie Neil (fourth right) (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The DjembeKon drummers added to the congenial air of the afternoon. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Chef Talcie Neil of the Ian Fleming Villa was all smiles as she readied to introduce her lunch offerings. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“Curry Goat is what I am now adding,” shared Chef Eric Ripert with Thursday Food. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The afternoon pours courtesy of Craggy Range principals Terry and David Peabody (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Chef Talcie Neil (second left) and the afternoon’s host Marika Kessler enjoyed a post lunch photo-op with (from left) Chef Eric Ripert, and David and Terry Peabody. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

IG/@ericripert

Jetting in for lunch @ GoldenEye

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