FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Encouraged by the turnout at Thursday’s gastronomy showcase at Falmouth Artisan Village, government officials are upbeat that the venue will become sought after for future events.

Scores of patrons from different races and cultures showed up for a taste of Jamaica, part of this year’s Tourism Week celebrations. There were passengers from a cruise ship that docked at the neighbouring port, members of a Chinese delegation who were attending a technology conference in the country, and lot of locals.

They were treated to drumming, folk dances and reggae music booming through speakers, along with a wide array of Jamaican culinary delights on display at the artisan village.

Among the various food offerings were bammy, roti, fritters, ackee and salt fish, ackee and salt pork, roast breadfruit, crab in all forms, peppered shrimp, jerk chicken, jerk pork, coconut water and other Jamaican favourites. There were also icicles, popsicles, fudge and Devon House ice cream to help beat the heat.

“This is what we really want to be happening in the town of Falmouth where people will get together, we socialise, we taste various foods. Today’s activities prove that the venue is appropriate to stage much more cultural events,” said mayor of Falmouth Councillor C Junior Gager.

“I just want to say a big up to all of the organisers. This is very, very, wonderful for this historic town,” he added.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Jennifer Griffiths also expressed her appreciation for those who turned out at the inaugural event.

“This is the first of our ‘savour Jamaica’ activities at the artisan village in Falmouth; this is part of our activities for Tourism Week. This week we have been spreading tourism through peace,” she said.

The artisan village was officially opened by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett in April.

Placed under the management of Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation, a department of Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the village is a partnership with Port Authority of Jamaica which owns the property on which it sits — the transformed Old Hampden Wharf.

Obviously pleased with how Thursday’s gastronomy showcase was going, TEF Chairman Godfrey Dyer appealed to patrons to spread the word about the artisan village.

“Nothing like this is anywhere else in Jamaica or the Caribbean — and we can see where this is going to go [in the future]. I want to thank everyone for coming out. Play with us, eat with us, and make sure you help us to promote this place…,” he urged.