Seafood connoisseurs will have the chance to experience some of the island's finest cuisine, entertainment, wine and art at a unique historic landmark Friday, May 28 during the launch of the Great Bahamian Seafood & Wine Festival. Blending the old with the new, the gala event at Jacaranda House will simultaneously showcase the town's top culinary art and rich history. Some 500 guests are expected to attend, each paying $125 for a full night’s food, entertainment, dancing, art exhibits and a silent auction.
Live musical performances by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Pop Band, Ronnie Butler and Duke Errol Strachan are slated throughout the evening.
"The opening event will feature signature seafood dishes prepared by some 15 restaurants and professional caterers, wine recommendations by wine experts, a sushi bar, chef demonstrations, a dessert and coffee lounge, an art exhibition and silent auction," said Vaughn Roberts, Managing Director of the Downtown Nassau Partnership which is partnering with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources for the event. "We couldn't have selected a more fitting venue for such a spectacular line-up. Jacaranda House complements the evening with a compelling, historical backdrop."
Located at the top end of Parliament Street, Jacaranda House is said to have been built using ballast stones from Georgia in the mid-nineteenth century (c. 1840s) by Sir George Campbell Anderson, the second Bahamian to be knighted. Since then it has been home to a number of dignitaries including Captain Vyvian Drury, ADC to the Duke of Windsor (Governor of The Bahamas between 1940-5). More recently, it was the residence of Mrs. Shirley Oakes Butler, daughter of Sir Harry and Lady Oakes.
"It is high time that Nassau was brought back to its former glory days. So I find it extremely appropriate that the gardens of this beautiful historic house should play host to the upcoming Seafood and Wine Festival," said Patricia Oakes Leigh-Wood, who owns Jacaranda House along with family member Virginia McKinney. "Jacaranda has been in the Oakes family since the middle of the last century. While major changes and additions were made by our aunt, Shirley Oakes Butler, we have exciting renovation plans for the near future."
Planned upgrades to the landmark include a total restoration of the home and Italian-tiled swimming pool and the conversion of the guest house into a stylish bar and café. Owners are expected to announce new site utilisation plans soon.
The two-day festival climaxes a week-long seafood safari with participating restaurants in Nassau and on Paradise Island offering specials on a fixed price menu. On Saturday, May 29, thousands are expected to flock to a full-day of festival activities including chef demonstrations, conch cracking contest, conch fritter competition, dozens of seafood stalls, live musical performances and a blessing of the fleet. The official day-long festival that will include a children's section is set for Junkanoo Beach East, just west of the British Colonial Hilton on West Bay Street. Tickets are $3 and available at the gate. Bank of The Bahamas is providing festival dollars for a cashless, secure environment.
Festival sponsors include Bank of The Bahamas, Bristol Cellars, British Colonial Hilton, Burns House, Caribbean Bottling Co. (Coca-Cola), Diane Phillips & Associates, Geneva Brass, John Bull Ltd, Paradise Fisheries, Phil's Food Service, Smith & Benjamin, The Sign Man and Graycliff.
Tickets for Friday night's gala may be purchased from the Downtown Nassau Partnership, Market Street, Bahamas Realty on East Bay Street and three locations of Bristol Cellars - Blake Road, Mall at Marathon and the Bacardi Store, Bay Street. Delivery arrangements can be made for the purchase of 10 or more tickets by contacting the DNP at 326-0992 or e-mail vroberts@downtownnassau.org.
