Foodie Fiesta!

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My dears, maitre d's, waiters and chefs everywhere are busy as a bumblebees administering last-minute touches, as they polish the silver and stemware; check the floral arrangements, fluff napkins and tablecloths and burnish general appearance, in preparation for the year's most anticipated premier culinary event, which gets under way today, as the Stephanie Scott-inspired and Gleaner-sponsored Restaurant Week (RW), gets into full and fabulous gear, with leading restaurants across this here nations' capital, as well as the north coast city of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios open up their doors in participation and appreciation of this authentic 'Foodie' event.

And dears, the buzz is, it's all good and then some already, as the island's leading restaurants and eateries are already boasting sold-out establishments for the duration of the event, leaving many a first-time would-be diner in a quandary.

Alas, my dears, with many of the establishments having an introductory price structure to welcome new patrons, y'all know this was going to be the hottest culinary ticket in town, with some restaurants and eateries not just a profiler's haven, but definitely the places to be and be seen by the up and coming, young professionals, and young movers and shakers.

restaurants of choice

Now, for this here scribe, RW would not be complete without a visit to these restaurants of choice: The Rojo at the Spanish Court Hotel, over there in New Kingston, The Regency, at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel; Majestic Sushi , over there at the Villa Ronai Complex, in Old Stony Hill; Strawberry Hill, up there in the Blue Mountains foothills; The 24 Seven Café, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel; Christopher's at Hermosa Cove in Ocho Rios; and the Sugar Mill at the Half Moon.

Dears, believe you moi, we are talking a culinary experience here of the finest order, as these restaurants are all worthy of a visit.

And my daahlings, speaking of fabulous people, places and things, word out of SuperClubs is that the Issa family has reduced its holdings in their flagship Hedonism 11 Hotel and Resort, over there in fabulous Negril, as the family has entered into a new partnership which will see a new company - Marshmallow Ltd, headed by majority shareholder Harry Williams, Jon Gross and the resorts' current GM, Kevin Levee, as the new partners and owners.

Dears, word is, expect a US$10-million upgrade of the resort and facilities to enhance guests, experience, so y'all know that this resort with its loyal following and ever-growing fan base, will remain one of the hottest resorts on the face of the globe!

And belated birthday greetings to the supremely elegant Mrs Beverley Anderson Manley Duncan; Jon Baker of GeeJam fame; William Craig; the fabulous Sidjae Walia; NDTC dancer, the talented Kemar Tucker; and the lovely Feona Bennett, over in Mandeville; who shared the same birthday yesterday, Thursday, October 8.

Celebrating on Wednesday, the 7th, were: the fab Peta-Gay Wong; and Stephanie Scott, of Restaurant Week fame.

Then, celebrating today, are: restaurateur Rajiv Bakshi; the fab Avril Norton; and Conroy Wilson.

Among those celebrating tomorrow, Saturday, the 10th, will be: International business consultant Kris Astaphan; the charmingly lovely Julie Ramchandani; Andrew Neil Barton; media personality Shakir Brown; the fabulous Debra Kerr, now in Florida; and the stunning Liesa Uton, in the United Arab Emirates.

Come Sunday, the 11th, those partying will include: Former rising international modelling star Serchen Morris; and the lovely Kim Scott.

And come Monday, the 12th: The affable Saleem Lazarus; BNS's Fay Johnson; Mario Woode; the fabulous Alecia Godfrey; the fabulous Tishan Lee; the elegant Nicola DeLisser, over in Montego Bay; and Dax Dunn, now in Florida.

With the celebrations continuing on Tuesday, the 13th, the fab socialite Nora Perez; socialite Nicola Mair; newscaster turn musician Errol Lee; celebrated playwright Basil Dawkins; the charmingly engaging Sharon Reyes; the fabulous Tamara Morin-Harding; attorney Arthur Kitchin; and the lovely Caren Collins,

And on Wednesday, the 14th, Information Minister Senator Sandrea Falconer; the fab Rosemarie Stennett-Discalzi in Ocho Rios; Mark Clarke, formerly of Kingston, now Atlanta, Georgia; North Coast habitué Francesca DeMajo of Rome, Italy and Malta; and film-maker, international gad-about and north coast habitué Joseph Tito, now Bahrain; will make it a very special day of celebrations.

And the partying moves into high gear on Thursday, the 15th, for media doyenne Alma Mock-Yen; evangelist Bishop GG Cooper; the charmingly elegant Joan Bascoe; former NDTC star dancer Deroi Rose; the fab Judith Blackwood celebrates the big Five-O; the lovely Tana Dalglish; the happening Simone Gordon; the charming Caroline Grant, over in Ocho Rios; the lovely Sarah Soutar, now in Miami, Florida; the fab Celine Golding, now in Brooklyn, New York; Claudine Cole, now in the United Kingdom; and Marcel Walker, now in Melbourne, Australia.

Many happy returns all around with champagne toasts and beluga treats!