NICHE

I must say something about this fabulous event. It was only started three years ago so is still very small, intimate and exclusive. There is something about Nevis that conveys both extreme sophistication and a down home, old time, summer holiday, kind of feeling.
The photos are from the Saturday evening event which was billed as "Taste of Nevis" by "Chef's of Nevis".

The team was led by Nevisian Curtis Smithen who has been named Executive Chef at the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. Curtis was specially invited to come and do his magic on home turf.

Curtis is such a sweetheart that it's easy to get liming and forget that he is one of the eminent chefs of the region. He is everything that I think characterizes an excellent Caribbean chef and it's wonderful to see the region producing such talent.

Chef Bruno Correa is the new culinary head at the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis. This Swiss native is best known for his hands on approach and his sense of humour. His move from the Far East, where he was the Executive Sous Chef at Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong, brings an interesting edge to both the region and the cuisine.
Sunshine and Augusto Schreiner. A whole lot of talent in this snapshot.
Sunshine is famous throughout the world for his hip and funky beach bar. Much has been written about his charismatic style and I was fortunate to experience some of this famous Sunshine warmth first hand. A Trini is about as inconspicuous as a large elephant in Nevis. Everywhere I went, as soon as I opened my mouth, everyone (well almost everyone) said "TRINI!". When Sunshine heard my accent, he welcomed me warmly and then climbed up to show me where the Trinidad and Tobago flag was hanging with several other international ones. I was really touched! A nice man. And he serves a mean Killer Bee (goes down like a lamb, then kicks you like a mule!). Don't be deceived by its innocent taste, it packs a good wallop.
Augusto Schreiner is the consultant chef on the NICHE project and is instrumental in planning and developing this novel event. He works closely with the Nevis Tourist Authority and the tireless, charming, and always, always; gracious Helen Kidd. and his input can be seen at so many levels. He is charming and was often my seat companion on the way to various events. Always willing to chat, always down to earth and smiling. He is another one that it is easy to forget that you are in the midst of a true culinary star. I admit that I am a bit of a food groupie so great chefs do to me what Brittney Spears does to my 10 year old.
Augusto has had a distinguished career that includes numerous awards (he was awarded honorary citizenship by New Orleans after receiving top honours in a culinary competition held in this very foodie city). He owned and operated his acclaimed restaurant "Augusto's Cuisine" for several years before selling it in 2001. He now owns and teaches at his cooking school in Puerto Rico, The Art of Cooking School.

In addition to Moet& Chandon champagne, there were also several other wines available.Chef Abdue Hill from Sunset Beach Club says it all; come, come! You must come to this event next year. So I bid on the silent auction for the 2008 NICHE package. This auction is a new concept and is the brain child of the Nevis Tourist Authority. The proceeds will go towards a culinary scholarship that will enable a young Nevisian to further his culinary education.

Can't post without saying hi to limer-boy Hans. It was so nice to see the St Kitts contingent. Everyone was all dressed up and sparkling and while the food was GREAT, so was the lime.

My Niche Weekend

I had such an amazing time in Nevis that I wanted to show it off a bit.
This is the lobby of the fabulous Four Seasons Resort in Nevis. I was very lucky to stay there over the weekend and had a chance to experience some good old fashioned style and glamour. Most people got dressed up in the evening and there was that contained air of elegance that hangs over special Friday nights.The view of the water from the main lobby. And no, this is not photoshopped.

The grand entrance where the doormen never failed to welcome or call out a cheerful greeting. There is more to service than meets the eye and all the staff were always impeccable. An example of the Caribbean architectural vernacular with its characteristic fretwork, large verandah and cross-bar railing.
One of the villas that is nestled under the canopy of the saman tree. These villas are privately owned but are part of the Four Seasons Development and can sometimes be found in the rental pool.
This one is situated right on one of the best greens in the Caribbean. It may even be the best one, but I will have to check my facts.
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NICHE - Nevis

I've had a one of those very special weekends where you meet new people, see new places and awaken interests that have fallen by the way. I was fortunate enough to be able to join a press trip to experience the third annual Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition 2007 or NICHE as it is known.Last night was the big night at The Four Seasons Resort in Nevis. The event, "Taste of Nevis" by the "Chefs of Nevis" showcased chefs from hotels and restaurants all set up at tasting stations. Most of the cuisine was branded as Caribbean with an international flair and the variety was amazing. It was also a great lime as a St kitts contingent arrived and I was able to hook up with my St. Kitts limer boy, Hans.

Chef Curtis Smithen, Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Resort, Exuma was there visiting his home turf and leading the Nevis Four Seasons team. His risotto was beyond fabulous. Beyond, beyond!! And he is such an amazing man. Cool and calm and so typically, well, Nevisian. The more I get to know this little island is the more that I love it and the people.
An interesting arrangement of food and flowers. It's easy with this type of arrangement to get clumsy but these were executed to perfection with the addition of passionfruit and miniature pineapples.
On the day before we visited The Nevis Craft House which does weaving, loomwork and both restoration and woodwork.

The loom ar work. There has been a rsurgence of the cotton crop here as the cotton grown on Nevis is recognized as some of the finest in the world. Exported mainly to the Far East, it is known as Sea Island Cotton.
Some of the chairs made on the property.A potter hard at work.
A minute replica of an old building that was brought down a few years ago. The Nevisians with us confirmed that this piece is an exact replica of the building.

Birds Galore

This is the beauty of my new lens. I can finally get some photos of all the avian life in my garden. We used to feed at the bird feeders every morning and afternoon but had stopped over time. I'm trying to start it up again as the word gets around quickly and it doesn't take long for the crowds to come.Blue tanager, I believe. Craig, I know you lurk. Please correct me if I am wrong. :)

Shooby getting bigger everyday.The purple bougainvillea that hangs over the roof of my outside rooms.
My Rangoon Creeper is just coming in as the sun has changed direction.

New lens

I am trying out my new lens which is a 70-300mm Canon and gives me a decent zoom.
It means I no longer have to hang precariously off my balcony when I'm trying to get a shot. I have to admit that while I need it and like it very much, I think I'm more of a macro kind of girl.
The above shot is a photo of one of my favorite heliconias. It is known as "She". I don't have the full name. She is beautiful and even her texture with a soft, fuzzy finish is feminine.

Below are the purple banana that get quite big. The birds love them and I hope with a zoom lens that I can get some good shots.

The Underwater Garden

I was lucky to see some of the underwater life that has made the Florida Keys famous. These are not the photos from my snorkelling session. Rather these are the shots that I was able to get pressed up against the side of the aquarium in the large display room.
These other wordly scapes were just what I was in the mood to contemplate. It's been a bit of a nightmare month but I was able to recharge in the Keys. That these wonderful creatures spend all day gently waving their tentacles is a great comfort to me. Why?
Something on a cellular level, I'm sure. Some sort of limbic throwback.
I read that in Japan there is a hugely popular trend where highly stressed corporate king (or queen) pins pay over-the-top ridiculous prices to spend a night looking at jellyfish float in large aquariums.
The sessions are pre-booked months in advance and come with a complimentary blanket and pillow (well maybe I'm improvising on that part). My point is that I never understood the appeal until I looked around my yoga class one night, everyone was upside down in shoulder stand and in the dim light we all looked like suspended, hushed entities; sort of jellyfish like, and deeply relaxed and relaxing.

Key Largo

Hi Hayley!! We are on line finally, here we are in Key Largo. While Daddy went to his course I went to the Wild Bird Rehabilitation centre where I met Pickles the Cocatoo who was very hyper. He had a yellow tinge to his fether but his friend, had an orangey-peachy tinge to his feathers.
This is a white pelican who was waiting to be fed.
Here is a White Heron . Isn't he Gorgeous?I fed the Tarpons at a Marina called Robbie's. You pay $4.00 to get a bucket of fish to feed the Tarpon off the jetty.

This is teacher from Daddy's course. His name is Dick Rutkowski and he is very famous in the diving world. He is a real character and loves to have everyone stay around and have a lime after class.
We miss you lots and lots. But we'll be home in just 36 hours!! :)))

Lignum Vitae

The Lignum vitae tree is one of my favourite trees. When it bursts into lavender blooms with orange berries, it is usually completely surrounded by white butterflies. There is obviously a symbiotic relationship between the two and it helps to add to the magical charm of this tree. These two trees caught my eye when I was driving past the St James Police Barracks. This old building is lovely and it is in the very back of the compound. This pair are two of the largest that I have ever seen and they are completely covered in blooms. This combined with the old architecture made this one of those scenes that you stumble on that makes the whole day worthwhile. I had to get special permission to get into this area of the compound because of security reasons and my camera. But once in, the policemen could not have been nicer. They were all thrilled to learn what the trees were and, of course, they knew all about Lignum vitae because of Roaring Lion's song - was it Nettie Nettie? or Miss Dorothy? Anyway I had quite a bunch of groupies around me by the end of it all.


I have given a bio on Roaring Lion below but this is the one quote that I love:

Early victim of record bans by colonial authorities: 'Netty, Netty' was banned '36 by Commissioner of Police on grounds of 'immorality'; Collector of Customs dumped entire first shipment of the record in Port of Spain Harbour; however the will of Carnival revellers prevailed over censorship the following year when they made 'Netty, Netty' the Road March. Following Atilla's election to Trinidad and Tobago's (T&T) Legislative Council '50, he singled out 'Netty, Netty' in his historical speech '51 attempting to move an amendment to the notorious Theatre and Dance Halls Ordinance '34, used to regulate the performance of calypso during colonial days: 'The police heard ''Netty, Netty, gie me de ting you have in you belly.'' And they said they wanted the words changed to: ''Netty, Netty, give me the article in your abdomen.''
This the bark of the tree . The wood is so hard it is legendary. I 'm still trying to find lyrics see which song the Lignum vitae was featured. If anyone knows, please blog and let me know.

For those who do not know- Roaring Lion was one of the earliest calypsonians and performed in the 1930's and 40's. Here is an excerpt from his bio which appeared on http://www.musicweb-international.com/encyclopaedia/l/L78.HTM
LION, Roaring
(b Hubert Raphael Charles, Feb. '10, Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad; renamed Raphael Charles de Leon c'51, then Rafael Arias Cairi Llama de Leon early '60s) Calypsonian, former clarinettist; among first generation to record during calypso's so-called '30s--'40s 'Golden Age', still active in '90s; versatile calypsonian with a penchant for bawdy calypsos; always a snappy dresser: described as the Beau Brummel of calypso by Atilla the Hun (Raymond Quevedo). Lion's personal accounts of his early career vary, but probably debuted c'29 in a small beginners' calypso tent in Belmont. Dubbed Lion Flaps c'31 by Lord Beginner (Egbert Moore: 1904-- 80); changed to the Roaring Metro Lion '33 when he joined 'Chieftain' Walter Douglas's Railroad Millionaires 'Crystal Palace' tent. Had prevailing unofficial Road March (or leggo as it was known then) most years '34--8 with 'Wanga' '34, 'Advantage Mussolini' '36 (bouncy condemnation of Italian Fascists' '35 invasion of Abyssinia [Ethiopia], set to the melody of Don Azpiaz£'s international '31 Cuban hit 'El Manisero', 'The Peanut Vendor'), 'Ask No Questions' '36 (recorded in a trio with King Radio and Growling Tiger), 'Netty, Netty' '37, 'Nora Darling' '38. He and Atilla were the first local artists sent to NYC to record '34 by local Portuguese businessman Eduardo Sa Gomes; Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee attended the sessions. During the trip Lion performed 'Ugly Woman' on Vallee's network radio show, the appearance celebrated in duo's calypso 'Guests Of Rudy Vallee' '38, and entertained President Roosevelt at NYC's Waldorf Astoria hotel. He continued to record annually in NYC from '36 until sessions were curtailed '42 due to WWII, making 95 sides in total.