First…

We go to Milan where on Monday, February 5, a delightful evening of gastronomy between Italy and Jamaica took place. Hosted by Jamaican mother-daughter duo and co-founders of Metis PR, Caterina Monda and food blogger Jacqueline Greaves, the event was further elevated by the presence of co-hosts, content creator Tamu McPherson and writer and creative director Jordan Anderson. Crafted with the intention of celebrating Jamaican cuisine while nurturing community and dialogue, the soirée also served a charitable purpose.

The evening’s culinary journey was expertly curated by co-principals Christopher and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush, who presented a delectable farm-to-table vegan Jamaican menu. Commencing with an elegant aperitivo hour, guests indulged in hors d’oeuvres such as Watermelon “Tuna” Tartare with mustard greens, plantain tostones, soubise, crispy ginger, scallion curls, maldon salt, aged balsamic vinegar drizzle, and mint-infused olive oil. As the evening progressed, guests enjoyed courses that ranged from cassava crusted cho, cho, Stush coconut yoghurt, sorrel dust, Stush Appleton sugarcane gastrique to beet carpaccio, capers, heirloom tomatoes, gungo peas bisque to smoked ackee ravioli, grapefruit and Campari granita. The evening closed with Jamaican chocolate cake with ganache and cacao nibs.

Midway through the event, co-hosts Anderson and McPherson introduced an exciting silent auction, featuring coveted hotel experiences in Jamaica and Italy, among other items. The proceeds from the auction were generously donated to Sandy Bank and Pedro Plains primary schools, and the organisation Transwave JA, furthering the philanthropic spirit of the evening.

The festivities reached a crescendo as guests rose from their seats to dance to the infectious rhythms of Beres Hammond and Sean Paul, ending the evening on a joyous and celebratory note.