Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Nadine Willis at the Reggae Academy Awards last Sunday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Seems, my dears, that Nadine Willis who shot to supermodel stardom, but whose battle with weight has seen her international modelling career coasting, has opted to put what's left of that career on hold, as the feisty lass is looking positively pregnant.

No word out of her modelling agency, but word is the former shooting star is expecting a girl sometime around June. She has already decided on a name for this, her second child, but as far as the name of the dad is concerned, mum is the word.

And speaking of the celebs with international cachet - the fabulous Melanie Ghisays arrives in Jamaica in a few days for some fun and relaxation, before returning to Hollywood.

'High priest' coming

Also arriving in mid-March is acclaimed New York chef, and former 'high priest' of the Jamaican party scene, Howard Barton, and his fabulous wife, Nancy Kalb Barton, along with their daughter, for their annual Jamaican holidays.

And speaking of hot chefs, the fabulous Betty Delfosse-Ingleton is back from her tour of Asia that saw her seeing in Christmas and the New Year in that region and included stops in Laos, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and looking as fabulous as ever. Wait for her new Asiatic-inspired creations, as the doyenne of gourmet and cosmopolitan eating is all set to relaunch her much-celebrated eatery.

And then speaking of the fabulous, Ingrid Green's birthday celebrations on Sunday, at the lovely Russell Heights residence of the fabulous Sadie McBean, was an all-day-and-night affair that was a melding of good friends, party savoir-faire that saw the fabulous out and celebrating, with the gusto and panache of the truly chic.

Fab to the core

It was all about celebrating a good thing, my dears, with friends, family and admirers in one fusion to help the birthday girl see out the old year and see in the new. And my dears, it was like that - fab to the core, as no egos here, just the spirit of friendship and celebration, toasting a true, tried and tested friend.

Luvs, among those who were out sharing toasts and breaking bread with the birthday girl were siblings, Peter and Nicky Green; the fabulous Sarah Manley; Dr Gavin Bellamy; Pat Matalon; Barry and Cheryl Johnson; Barbara Clarke; Christene Steele and son David Steele; Hugh Scott; Liz McAdam; Gary Peart; Susan Constantine, Kellie Hamilton Jarrett; Dane Kow and companion Joanne Watt; George Night; Debbie Dewar; and Kevin McBean; plus several others.

It is the age of Pisces, and the fab are celebrating their birthdays with the passion of this water sign and its ruling planets, Jupiter and Neptune.

Celebrants

Those celebrating include Nancy McLean of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, who celebrated her birthday on Monday. Former ministerial colleagues Robert Pickersgill and Aloun Assamba, who both celebrated on Wednesday. Also celebrating on Wednesday was the fabulous Effie Lakasingh. And premier socialite Jeanne Watson, who celebrated yesterday, the 28th.

Now, the charming Jackie Amber Ola-Bisi will celebrate on March 5.

Happy returns y'all and champagne toasts with Beluga treats.

And speaking of Beluga treats, my dears, last Sunday saw the first anniversary of Montego Bay's most celebrated Wine Bar and Restaurant - the Cecile Levee-inspired, owned and managed Wine With Me, located over there in the Altamont West Hotel, over there on the Hip Strip in the famous city.

Luvs, to mark the occasion, it was a day and night affair of nothing but fine wines and even finer champagne, as the celebrations took on an open-house air of the festive kind that saw guests journeying from Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Mandeville and Port Antonio, to share in the felicitations and camaraderie that the fine establishment has come to embody.

Foremost wine bar

Luvs, in its short life, Wine With Me has established itself as the island's foremost wine bar and restaurant, not only earning rave reviews in the process, but managing to eke out a cult-like following that swears by its wine varietals and its superb menu offerings. Little wonder then, that indeed, it is the Second City's premier choice for those with that discriminating palate and sense of culinary appreciation.

To be sure, if run dung and/or tripe and beans is your thing, then let it be clearly understood that Wine With Me is most definitely not your cup of tea. Here, the offerings are not variations of the theme a la Granmere, a la chicken or goat curried, or even overdone stews. This, my dears, is a place conceived for the civilised palate. And while not prohibitive in costs, if you really are on a budget, then the KFC in the Fairview Shopping Centre might be best suited to your pocket.

Simply put, my daahlings, the place is a fabulous jaunt, serving up fabulous dishes and wines for the truly fabulous, so there!

And, my dears, it was the truly fab, who turned out last Sunday, for the first anniversary of this truly hot spot, and so kudos to the truly talented Cecile Levee and her staff on this their fist anniversary of dishing and pouring it.

( L - R ) Delfosse-Ingleton, Mclean, Lakasingh, Ghisays