Visit the Gleaner-sponsored Jamaica Epicurean Escape (JEE) at the Richmond Estate in St Ann on December 1 and 2 and enjoy the delectable offerings of the talented team of chefs from Isabella's Restaurant, Cardiff Hall Hotel and Spa, Runaway Bay, St Ann.

Isabella's reputation for delectable and innovative Jamaican dishes that are exquisitely presented is rapidly growing. The development of the restaurant is an integral part of the re-branding of the former Human Employment And Resource Training (HEART) Runaway Bay Training Hotel into the four-star Cardiff Hall Hotel and Spa, which has facilities and services that can hold their own against other world-class boutique hotels.

The force behind the outstanding performance of Isabella's is executive chef Dennis McIntosh, whose culinary skills are celebrated internationally through his work in world-famous restaurants such as the Whaler Inn Seafood Restaurant at the Southampton Princess Hotel in Bermuda and the Hotel Jägerhof in West Germany.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Before joining Isabella's, McIntosh worked at several leading hotels along the north coast, including Boscobel Beach Hotel, the Ciboney Resort & Spa and the Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort.

In 2002, he achieved a milestone for his country by being the first Jamaican to be appointed executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton's Rose Hall, Jamaica, property. He has also been executive chef at the Royal Plantation Resort & Spa and at the Secrets St James Resort & Spa.

Lorraine Fung, food consultant to the JEE, noted that the event will benefit from chef McIntosh's immense culinary skills as well as his in-depth knowledge and experience of similar events on the international scene.

"Chef McIntosh and I have a long association as we have worked on several food events for charity. He is deeply committed to the development and recognition of Jamaican cuisine through his participation in and leadership of the national culinary team in many regional and international competitions such as the Taste of the Caribbean held annually in Miami," she said.