The Tropics sizzle: sunshine, spices and intense flavours to light up your taste buds

Relax, have fun and explore your passion for good food, exciting new flavours and learn a few professional tricks along the way. The Guardian recently named “Jerk cuisine as one the best international street foods to have on holiday”. Yes there is a lot more than patties from Jamaica including staying at Hotel Mockingbird Hill, one of the world's Top 10 Greenest Hotels.

West Indian Cuisine is now being discovered putting the Caribbean at the top of the list for a “foodies'” place to go. The island of Jamaica is home to many of the best products in the world –the famous Blue Mountain coffee, the well-known Pimento (Allspice), the celebrated smooth, golden rums, the fiery Scotch Bonnet Pepper – supposedly the hottest pepper of all, the legendary Boston Jerk seasoning, the most flavourful Ginger and the intriguing Ackee to name a few. Jamaica’s natural beauty, her warm and welcoming people and the gastronomic delights make Jamaica a food lover’s paradise.

Discover the subtle, but powerful combinations of tropical fruits, aromatic spices, strong spices and peppers offset by the mild creamy flavour of coconut. …Learn to prepare innovative, healthy dishes bursting with a blend of the many rich flavours you will find here, create a fascinating, eclectic mix of bold contrasts.  You’ll learn to cook regional favourites with a creative twist based on seasonal ingredients. Every day will be a feast for your senses: indulge guiltlessly.
Enjoy a unique and memorable holiday with a relaxed schedule of culinary classes and free time to enjoy excursions to plantations and coffee estates. Raft gently down the Rio Grande stop halfway for a rustic riverside lunch. Sample an authentic “road side” jerk lunch and finish off with a beachside lunch on your last day. Learn the secrets of Creative Caribbean Cuisine in a location that boasts the beauty of lush tropical forests, the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea.

So get together with your friends, get out your tropical gear ready for a great culinary adventure to share our passion for local ingredients and local flavours and the experience of shopping at the colourful Musgrave Market in Port Antonio Your days will be a combination of hands-on cooking lessons and leisurely, fun filled hours of discovery. This culinary journey is geared for food enthusiasts and those who enjoy great food and good fun!

The cooking classes are held for a maximum of 10 persons in the open aired veranda Restaurant Mille Fleurs. Following the preparation of the meals, relax with lovely tropical cocktails and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and then savour a fine selections of dishes accompanied with wines.

Your instructors are Glenford Simpson and Anthony Reid who will help you share their love for the colours, flavours, the ineffable spirit and joy of the people and not least the music and general lifestyle. They enjoy themselves creating new and interesting combinations with a focus on using the local produce with a balanced blend of tastes and textures – which are not only delicious but also simple and light.

They will share tips and teach you the Jamaican specialities. We’ll make sure that you can recreate these dishes for your family and friends because these or similar ingredients can now be found in most import shops almost anywhere. You will of course also be able to purchase some of the top class products while you are here – especially Banana vinegar, Honey vinegar, tamarind paste and chutney and not last of all the honey, all of which we get from our local provider of home made products, Tamarind Hill Farm.

Guest Jamaican presenters include – Virginia Burke, Author of the book TASTE JAMAICA, Rosemary Parkinson, Author of the book CULINARIA and NYAM JAMAICA, Winston Stoner, CEO of the famous ‘Busha Brownie Sauces’ as well as David Twyman, Director of Coffee Traders.

Bring your appetite for knowledge, lots of laughter and fun. Enjoy a week of pure pleasure with a top quality, authentic, intimate culinary experience, great products and sublime food.

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