Rainforest Caribbean and Select Brands gave the Corporate Area a memorable food and drink experience at their Brand Showcase on Thursday, November 21 on the lawns of Devon House.

The event was a culinary odyssey that saw guests partake in both brands’ best offerings. The various products that Rainforest Caribbean had on display were transformed into mouth-watering dishes curated by Chef Jacqui Tyson at different food stations. Those treats were expertly paired with various wines, spirits and beers from Select Brand’s substantial line-up.

Montego Bay had the privilege of taking foodies on this unique journey on November 14 and it was now Kingston’s turn to revel in the creations. The guests were given cards upon entering, which allowed them access to the different food stations.

Rainforest Caribbean Marketing Manager Denise Byfield Dixon said that what differentiated the two events was the size and scale as well as the wide variety of dishes that were available for patrons to sample.

“What makes it different is that it is a different set of persons, it is a way bigger event. We have a wider variety of products and food stations,” Dixon Byfield said. “ What we would like our consumers and patrons to know is that we have a wide range of products and the products themselves offer a lot of versatility. So, Chef Tyson has really outdone herself in her creations, especially utilising our newest products, our johnny cake mix, our festival mix, and really integrating it with seafood.”

The use of the johnny cake mix was brought to life at the aptly named Dumplin’ Shop station. Guests were given the option of having fried dumplings paired with either roasted salt fish with pickled onion, Jacqui’s Sticky Mango Glazed Pig’s Tail or smoked marlin and smoked herring mousse. The Jamaican classics were not forgotten with dishes such as ackee and salt fish on offer.

Moving from the Dumplin Shop, the Off the Hook station satisfied the cravings of seafood lovers. Among the creations available were mussels in white wine with Rainforest Crips, shrimp bang bang, teriyaki salmon bites, island-style fish fingers with mango remoulade and flaming tacos with hoki fillet or shrimp.

Dixon Byfield also alluded to the showcase of products that were incorporated into the pasta dishes. Those were manifested at the station called Pastabilities, where the signature dish was the Rainforest Pasta with coconut flambéed Rainforest jumbo shrimp and lobster chunks in a light jerk-infused white wine creme.

Meat lovers were not forgotten as the Hot Off Di Grill station had salmon and beef smash burger sliders, a French lamb rack kissed with mint jelly and grilled beef tenderloin and ribeye.

Food was not the only thing that was savoured, but also champagne courtesy of the Moët & Chandon booth. Showcasing the new partnership with the brand, guests got to sip either the Moët Imperial Brut, the Moët Nectar Imperial Rosé and the Moët Ice Imperial Rosé.

There were also various beers for sale as well as mixed cocktails crafted from the spirits on Select Brands’ catalogue. Select Brands Marketing Director Tania McConnell emphasised the importance of both Select Brands and Rainforest Caribbean working in tandem with each other and offering a unique experience with quality liquor.

“We don’t compete; we complement each other. And it is a match made in heaven. The wines and spirits that we put on display are 100 per cent top-shelf,” McConnell said. “This is our customer appreciation. It is one of the things that we put a lot of investment in, and we want people to come in and taste our products.”

The food tour continued at the Sushi Bar booth where guests could enjoy delights such as the shrimp tempura roll, spicy tuna roll, tuna and salmon nigiri and the dynamite roll.

The journey concluded naturally with dessert at the Sweet Treat station. Guests could try the Summer Medley, a lemon and orange sponge cake with patron citron, summer medley mascarpone cream and strawberry and passionfruit rocks. They could also be tempted to sample the Cherry Berry, a vanilla bean sponge cake with rose cream, strawberry white chocolate crunch crispearls and cherry berry cheesecake. Additionally, they could sample Rainforest’s new fruit bars made from real fruits with flavours such as Pineapple, Coconut, Island Paradise, Strawberry, Mango, and Berry Twist.

It was an experience that was savoured and enjoyed, especially by Samfo Meats Limited Principal Maureen Lyn.

“I loved everything about it. The food was so delicious, I could still taste it in my mouth. The [Rainforest] pasta! I loved the pasta most of all,” Lyn said.