Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Near the entrance of Wine 13, guests were greeted by André Dixon and Marguerites by the Sea, with a variety of pastas and seafood - from shrimp and lobster pasta to the always-popular fish and bammy.

Last Saturday night, the food and wine tasting, at Montego Bay's Shoppes at Rose Hall, delivered what the organisers promised. The event turned out to be more about social circles and networking, than the tasting - a fact Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) worked hard at refuting. Their selection of wines made for a revolving door of aspiring wine connoisseurs. The wine enhanced the conversations, which may have been the desired goal of CPJ. Each booth, by design or happenstance, promoted the social nature of such an event. It was more about the people than the food, with the samples playing co-star to the lead role of networking.

Weaving our way through the annual fund-raising activity revealed what sounded like a commotion, but was actually a gathering at My Tidbits Pastries and Cakes. The sweet taste of their assortment of mango and cherry cheesecake lingered with all who sampled.

Entering the belly of the function, one couldn't help but yearn for more pasta, on this occasion, from American Heritage. The closer you got to the night's entertainment, the more the environment perpetuated networking. Congregated at the vendors, the guests savoured the samples while engaged in discussions. It was definitely a night to remember, but more so for the who's who.

There was no doubt, Wine 13 2013 was a tremendous success!

Proceeds from the event have been earmarked for various community projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Montego Bay, The Shoppes at Rose Hall Scholarship Programme and the continued support of the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Purchase these or other photos from the Gleaner Library.

Please call 922-3400 ext. 6357 or email library@gleanerjm.com.