Finally…

A bespoke culinary experience, ‘Come Back to Craving’, by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett at Devon House Mansion last Wednesday hosted international lifestyle journalists for an intimate five-course meal. The attendees included Naomi Auger, writer at Le Journal de Montréal; Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, Calgary-based blogger and freelance writer at Calgary Herald newspaper; Cynthia David, journalist at Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine; Patrice J Williams, New York-based fashion and lifestyle expert, on-air host, and freelance writer; and Vaughn Stafford Gray, journalist at Saveur magazine.

The minister, who strongly supports showcasing the diversity of native food, chose an exquisite menu that exemplifies Jamaica’s creative advancements in culinary arts. Carefully curated by Chef Shea Stewart, the offerings — an elevated take on traditional everyday Jamaican food, according to Stewart — included pumpkin and roasted corn soup, fried jumbo shrimp with classic escoveitch pickle and festival croutons, braized red wine oxtail with sweet potato croquettes, crispy hand-roasted snapper with classic rundown sauce, and mango sorbet for dessert.

Pastry brand Kandes Delights took care of the drinks which included the evening’s signature cocktails, So Real (sorrel) and Piña Comango (pineapple, coconut and mango).

Entertainment was provided by cello player Emily Ruth as the guests feasted by candlelight in the space decorated by Lux Event Design.