The countdown to the 26th staging of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards, powered by Mastercard, is on!

For year 26, the premiere culinary event, dubbed the ‘Oscars of Food’ will take place on Thursday, June 26, on the East Lawns, King’s House. To celebrate, conceptualiser and Food Awards Chair Novia McDonald-Whyte, Jamaica Observer Media Group Deputy Managing Director Natalie Chin Samuda, alongside the media group’s Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun, on Thursday, June 12, fêted sponsors and food awards judges at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel’s multi-award-winning, fine-dining spot: The Regency Room.

The intimate lunch served as a trip down memory lane, as veteran food awards judge Christopher Reckord chronicled his 20-plus-year run of discovering Jamaica’s culinary and gastronomic experiences with McDonald-Whyte and her team. Tourism Enhancement Fund Executive Director Dr Carey Wallace — who was lauded by McDonald-Whyte as a key figure in the event’s earlier days — in his address, credited the Table Talk Food Awards for its contribution to gastronomy and its impact on Jamaica’s tourism.

The small gathering also heard from The Best Dressed Chicken Brand Manager Arielle Oliver, who drummed up excitement for the company’s ‘Taste The Vibe’ experience. Guests also heard from Wisynco Group Limited Chief Commercial Officer Tabitha Athey; Jamaica Observer Media Group Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun and McDonald-Whyte herself.

This year’s sponsors include Tastee, Brew’d Awakenings, TEF, Sagicor, The Best Dressed Chicken, Appleton, Pepsi, Ocean Spray, WATA, Rainforest Caribbean, ATL Automotive, Island Car Rentals, and Main Event Entertainment Group.

Photos: Naphtali Junior