An Evening to Remember
All the Christmas decorations were up and all the corks were popped at the oceanfront home of Gaye Randolph as she welcomed the Cayman Branch into her home to launch the festive season. Gaye joined the IWFS in 2011 and offered to host our December event of Comparative Sampling of English Sparkling Wines on Friday December 6th, 2013.
Five English sparkling wines were offered for all to sample. A lovely cheese platter sat next to the sampling table for nibbles. Quite frankly, every one of the wines was very nice; but perhaps the best was the Ridgeview, Grosvenor 2009 from Sussex. It was my favorite. We also sampled Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 2008 from Sussex which is known to be a favorite of the Queen’s and is often served at State dinners. I would thoroughly recommend that if you have an opportunity to sample any of the five, you should do so.
The evening began with us gathered in front of the table of five wines. Andrew Jones gave a short synopsis of each and platters of wonderful Hors d’oeuvres were passed continuously. One could wander into the living room to enjoy the music by Wil Steward playing Gaye’s grand piano accompanied by Billy Rosen (guitar) Fred Haas (piano/sax) and Sabrina Brown (vocals). Everything from old classics to Christmas Carols filled the air, although it seems hard to comprehend Christmas when it is 85 degrees outside and the palm trees are swaying in the Christmas breezes.
The event was catered by Dine by Design who did a magnificent job, both in taste and the constant flow of trays being passed. The selection was wonderful and included Christmas Beef in Puff Pastry, Confit Duck and Foie Gras Mousse on Brioche with Cranberry Compote, Petite Crab Cakes with Creole Remoulade, Crispy Pork Belly with Curry Onion Marmalade, Port Wine Poached Figs with Mascarpone and Prosciutto, Coconut-Tangerine Shrimp Ceviche on Endive, and an assorted Tropical Tartlettes of Passion Fruit with Raspberries, Lemon Pastry Cream with Strawberry, and Dulce de Leche with Banana and Chocolate. The highlight of course, was the trays of Sevruga Caviar blinis . This truly was an evening to remember and a lovely way to start off the holiday season. Pictured in the Catering l-r are: Alan Silverman (owner), Eileen Bautista, Clayton Peters, Sisith Marawilage, and Raymond Jackson (chef).
The event was planned by L-R Becky Shulz, Paul Anderton, Gaye Randolph, Tessa Johnson-Bodden and seated Andrew Jones.