Three chefs, one night

Chef Roblé Ali from Bravo TV, join Jamaican culinary 'big guns', Chef Brian Lumley and Chef Colin Hylton.

Before Chef Roblé Ali arrived in Jamaica, he had one request. He wanted to see the 'real' Jamaica and eat where 'real' Jamaicans ate. And after a full week's itinerary, packed with road trips that took him up the mountains and down to the beaches, suffice it to say - Ali was shown the real Jamaica.

Guided by his hosts, Melanie Miller, Jacqui Sinclair, and Leisha Wong - the three foodies behind the local food movement and market - Kingston Kitchen, Ali and his group (fellow chefs Adam Banks and Rob McCue, girlfriend Rayuana Bethea, and friend Cindy Wright) were put through their paces with a packed itinerary that started the night they arrived,, with dinner at Gloria's Seafood at Port Royal.

Described by the chefs as among the "best food experiences of their life," they were inspired by their meal of steam and brown stew fish, as they dissected the dish, exchanging ideas on how they could recreate the meal with their own twist back in New York, where he is set to open his new restaurant.

This scene played out at restaurants, roadside spots, and street corners across the island, including Hellshire Beach, Walkerswood Jerk Factory and even Danny's Marina (Rockfort), where Banks hijacked the kitchen to fry up some wahoo freshly caught, thanks to FRESHmonger JA owner Gina May Mair and her husband Julian.

Ali also had a chance to meet with local chefs and caterers at an interactive session dubbed Dutch Pot Discussions at the Spanish Court Hotel. The local contingent, led by Chef Dennis McIntosh, learned about Ali's journey. Chef Alecia James wowed with her avocado créme brûlée, and Chef McIntosh introduced Ali and Banks to june plum (albeit a very elegant version - poached with spices).

But all this was simply a precursor to the main event. Roblé was in Jamaica to launch the new premium arm of Kingston Kitchen - their Signature Series. In partnership with Scotiabank Premium Banking, the event set out to up the ante on the local culinary scene, by partnering international and local talents. "We love our markets, but we wanted to do something a little different by having a super stylish event that targeted the true food aficionado," explains Melanie Miller, Kingston Kitchen co-director.

The dinner - Three Chefs Three Courses, was held on Friday, November 1, at Guilt at Devon House, and was an intimate experience for the diners. Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) was on board as the food and wine sponsors, and paired the Fetzer brand of wines with the dinner.

Lumley was responsible for the appetiser course, and presented a spiced crusted seared mahi tuna, served on a bed of greens. This was followed by a surprise dish by Roblé - a jerked 'Cock' soup, inspired by the Grace Cock Soup mix, (which he tweeted about weeks before his arrival on the island), and then on to the main course - braised short rib of beef served with collard greens-style callaloo, shrimp, and fregola. Rounding out the dinner was a symphony of decadence by Colin Hylton - warm chocolate soufflé, red fruit soup, lavender macarons, and coconut drops with ginger.

Beyond the menu, the dinner was an experience for the senses. It was completed by the premium cocktail hour prior to the event, hosted by the Scotiabank Premium Banking brand, and catered by chefs Celeste Gordon and Siri Brown from Whip It Up, and Chef Junior Roberts from CPJ Market & Deli; and the peacock and jewel-themed décor executed by Tai Flora Luxe.

The launch of the Kingston Kitchen Signature Series set the stage for the last Kingston Kitchen market to be held on Saturday, December 14, at Hope Gardens. "We love our markets, we love our grass-roots base and the incredible support that we have received from all our foodie friends," said Jacqui Sinclair, co-director of Kingston Kitchen. "We also love that we were able to bring a new culinary experience to Jamaica, and hope that it will be the first of many to come," she ended.