Who better to host the official countdown to the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards’ silver anniversary than the Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG), who have for the last two-plus decades not only supported the region’s celebration of culinarians, but also partnered with the Food Awards committee to Trinidad & Tobago and the Cayman islands to elevate the narrative around the region’s food?

Twenty-five years later, JBG President & CEO Chris Levy remains resolute that the conversation needs to be kept alive as he welcomed JBG executives, a few long-standing customers, Jamaica Observer executives, and Food Awards judges, Sunday last, to the sprawling 380-acre Azan Farm which could easily pass muster in the Best Kept Secret category of the Food Awards.

“Welcome to Riversdale Farm! It is an active farm with five chicken houses that produces 120,000 chickens every seven weeks. We have 80 milking cows, two springs… it is a beautiful piece of property,” shared Levy. It’s no idle boast!

The scenic drive from Bog Walk awakened fond memories for many. Few had crossed Flat Bridge since the advent of the highway much less ventured to Riversdale, St Catherine.

All would soon discover how deeply intertwined the farm is with the Azan family, who operated it for nearly three decades. Now, it stands as a proud part of The Best Dressed Chicken enterprise.

As we venture deeper, the landscape undergoes a subtle transformation. Unassuming pastures give way to gently undulating fields, a sea of green under a vast sky. The air takes on a crisp freshness, hinting at the breathtaking views that await.

Suddenly, the farm reveals itself. Immaculate chicken houses shine in the midday sun and well-tended cattle graze in the distance, disturbed only by the occasional egret, framed against the backdrop of the hills. The entire scene is one of vibrant life, a testament to the bounty of the land.

Today, the farm hums with a different kind of energy. Festive canopies flutter in the breeze, transforming the working landscape into a celebratory venue in honour of the Food Awards’ 25th anniversary, a fitting tribute to the island’s culinary excellence. The aroma of wood smoke and roasting meats drifts on the air, tantalising the taste buds, as guests gather.

From the crest of a nearby hill, a panoramic view unfolds an endless tapestry of lush fields, vibrant with the life the farm nurtured. This is not merely a farm, but a symbol of Jamaica’s rich agricultural heritage and its promising future, and Arielle Oliver, The Best Dressed Chicken brand manager is eager for us all to experience it. It’s hard to feign indifference to the attention to detail, from the welcome beverage aptly called the Hudson Cocktail Story: Frozen Aperol Spritz Sorbet crafted to order by its namesake mixologist, Wynton Hudson. Holding court a few feet away is yet another mixologist, Brian Beecham, who offers Basil Lemonade, spiked or virgin. Both beverages prove perfect foils for the Hamilton’s Smokehouse Charcuterie offerings.

Intermittent rainfall aside (what’s the Food Awards without showers of blessing!) It’s an easy-like-Sunday morning family vibe in a rustic, chic Trudi Hamilton for Trudi Alexis conceptualised space.

Lunch comes courtesy of Sara Couch and comprises:

First

Roasted Pepper, Corn & Goat Cheese Tart

Main

Harissa Smoked Chicken with Caramelised Oranges

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Chimichurri

Crispy Fried Snapper Fillet with a Ripe Plantain Salsa / Lemon Caper Cream

Charred Broccolini, String Beans, Carrots, Honey Mustard Glaze

Roasted Potatoes, Cream, Herbs, Garlic

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Chimichurri

Crispy Fried Snapper Fillet with a Ripe Plantain Salsa / Lemon Caper Cream

Dessert

Passion Fruit and Pineapple Sorbet with Kaffir Lime Leaf

Artisan Chocolate

There is reluctance all around as guests enjoy the last spoons of sorbet and exchange pleasantries. It’s a day well spent with the JBG. The words of Levy resonate: “The Food Awards is a calendar event for us at Jamaica Broilers Group, as well as Jamaica. The brand itself has grown so much…with a value that is difficult to quantify. It has without a doubt become a household name.”

Thank you for your support, Mr Levy.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 25TH STAGING OF THE JAMAICA OBSERVER TABLE TALK FOOD AWARDS

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024.