By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance WriterHEADLINE: The naked truth
about Hedo III's Jerk Fest VIP Dinner
Hedonism III, Runaway Bay, St. Ann's, Jamaica.
For reservations - 1-888-Go-Super
Hedonism III, Runaway Bay, St. Ann's, Jamaica.
For reservations call 1-888-Go-Super
WHEN MICHELLE Smith-Davis, public relations manager for Hedonism III invited me to attend 'Jerk Fest 2004', I must admit that I was a little amused. I mean, the thought of naked people running around eating jerk was fodder for an erotic film, as far as I was concerned 'food' in all forms flitting about au naturel.
Dying to have the experience of a hedonistic weekend was well, what can I say -- inviting? So off I went, head on into pleasure on Emancipation weekend. Apt, eh? Hello there.
Hedonism III, set off the main highway of Runaway Bay, St. Ann, definitely has a friendly and welcoming staff, quick with that front desk service too no naked bodies here. I was very late in arriving, so the brisk handling of baggage and signing-in enabled me to be whisked to the VIP dinner on the Sunset Deck as quick as a wink. Before I knew what, I was being
welcomed warmly with glasses of my favourite bubbly (joy!joy!joy!) by General Manager Kevin Levee and his lovely wife, Cecile. After warm introductions to the rest of the party, it was time for dinner. Beautifully set tables in groups of six, the full moon beaming, glorifying the skies above Jamaica, and the water below reflecting same in heavenly splendour, definitely indicated definitely that this could turn out to be a special evening.
STILL NO NAKED BODIES
But, what can I say still no naked bodies.
Hmmm.
Let me begin by proclaiming that there was no doubt I had the pleasure of being seated at what turned out to be obviously one of the most pleasurable of tables. No insult to the others mind you I am sure they had fine company too. However, as the courses came and the empty plates went our lot covered, with no mean vigour, almost every subject on earth, starting from solar heating to politics, to food, to the vagaries of sin.
Ahh! How we did enjoy our heated discussions filled with boisterous banter and hearty laughter even much thumping on tables when a good point was made. Cecile Levee (extremely elegant and radiant on this lovely night) headed our lively group and was definitely a great catalyst to the proceedings therein. I take this opportunity to thank her and her most affable husband for their amazing hospitality although, up to this particular point on this most romantic night, I have to repeat still not one naked body.
Hence, I found myself in no other position but to sit back and enjoy the show. There were eight courses to eat and copious amounts of wine to imbibe. Just to elicit those 'green with envy' feelings again from my readers, let me start with the imbibing section. The Whites served were Pouilly Fuisse and a Puligny Montrachet whilst the Reds we were subjected to were none other than Chateauneuf-Du-Pape and a Saint Emilion Grand Cru with, of course, at the whip of a hand and a tinkle of the glass, Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial.
Dying by now are you? Well there's more excitement to come, believe you me.
BEAUTIFULLY TRAINED
SERVICE STAFF
We began the evening with an appetiser of Braised Duck Breast smothered in a Guava and Scotch Bonnet Pepper Glaze served with a delightful Mango Chutney. The duck breast was moist and tender, the sweet and spicy glaze magnifying its glory. I must mention the excellent
synchronised service from a team of obviously beautifully trained waiters and waitresses. We soon were to realise that this 'ballet' would be repeated with every course. This certainly made the entire evening extra impressive - although (can't resist it) there were still no naked bods to be seen.
Soup, a delightful Smoked Chicken and Sweet Potato brew, was light and easy on the palate and a warm-up for the rest of the 'theatre in food'. This was followed by Grilled Conch with Banana Wafer served with Apple Soya and Grapefruit Emulsion. This came under the guise of a salad. I hoped this would not be the most naked thing I would see for the night.
I can attest to the fact that the conch was tender and juicy, having been marinated in a jerk seasoning and grilled to perfection just before serving. Hello. By the way, moi, hating bananas with a passion, I devoured the wafer sans recognition of that aroma that usually sends me collapsing in agonising horror and running in the opposite direction.
Mark Cole, Mr. Executive Chef, no one has ever been able to get me to eat anyt'ing with banana, believe you me. Was it the copious amounts of Moet & Chandon together with my choice of Red the Chateauneuf-du-Pape that had my senses bamboozled or is it that you just good, Sah. I know it mus' be the latter. Want to get naked?
Then came the lobster my caviar of the sea. The tail, breaded and baked, sat divinely in an infused Annatto and Okra Fish Tea. To say that it was not special would be an adulterated lie. Next, we had Baked Brie Cheese in Filo Pastry followed by a palate cleanser consisting of a most refreshing Ginger and June Plum Sorbet that arrived steaming resplendently. Nooooo, still no naked bodies. It was just
all about the chef's very
innovative way of packing
same with dry ice.
La Piece de Resistance: The Entrée. Deserving of its own paragraph, this Roasted Rack of Lamb that had been marinated in rosemary, coated in a very crispy plantain crust and served with Frangelico Au Jus was superb, to say the least. Medium rare, that lovely perfect pink that lamb is worthy of, this course left me mouthing nothing but accolades for the passion of perfection demonstrated by Mark Cole and his team.
Dessert, Jackfruit and Chocolate Terrine served with Peppercorn Ice Cream, ended this totally delightful evening. Jackfruit and chocolate a true Jamaican interaction. Jackfruit, in fact a glorification of a 'fruit', has finally come into its own. Jackfruit in bed with none other than the divine Miss C. I should have realised here that this would definitely be as naked as things would get.
What happened after the dinner? Well, still in search of those darn naked gorgeous male bodies, I rushed champagned-out to the piano bar. Everybody was dressed and there was a mean karaoke going on. Rushed up to the disco where, well, I watched a lot of people trying to get lucky. That, and my superb dinner had me tired so off to bed I went and straight into the sweetness of dreams but not before I had a hot Jacuzzi bath and a little admiration of myself in the mirrored ceilings above same (as well as over the over-the-top gigantic bed).
Got to take someone very, very special there soon, soon.
By the way, the Jerk Fest was fabulous.
Rosemary Parkinson has been inducted into the world of Hedonism. Never say never is definitely her motto for this year.
