The John Watling's distillery has been through many transformations and it's gone through another transformation just for tonight. It will be a virtual winter wonderland for Chef Jamall Petty from Island Flare Cooking School and Chef Simeon Hall to present "A Taste of Christmas: The Ultimate Pre-Christmas Party". The kick off to the season party is a part of the chefs' popular pop up series, events that are fast becoming must-attend affairs.
"This is going to literally be a taste of Christmas," said Petty of tonight's event, which in true pop fashion does not reveal menu items beforehand that patrons would partake in. He promises no one will be disappointed with approximately 20 tapas items on the menu comprising the passed foods that will circulate throughout the night, including two live stations.
"The menu itself is like we're recreating a Christmas dinner. We will take the flavors, spices and tastes usually associated with Christmas and put a creative spin on them in a tapas and amuse bouche kind of way."
Petty said patrons will never view Christmas the same way again after tonight's party.
"I want them to have a flashback in their mind anytime they taste anything that has any one of those elements in it," he said. "With this themed party I will be in hog heaven because I love small bites. I love giving someone something in a bite that actually hits every one of their senses, causing them to light up like a Christmas tree. We always try to bring a new presentation to things that people are familiar with."
It won't just be the food that will be stellar. The entire event will be upscale, making it the must attend affair of the season.
"I wanted to create an event that has all of the elements of Christmas, so it will be like people walking into a winter wonderland -- we're going to be completely draping the area, we're going to have projection screens displaying snowfall, we will have artificial snow on the ground, we will have soca Santa and Santa's helpers offering small bites and shots throughout the night, with blowup Christmas balloons scattered around the property."
Petty said the venue will scream Christmas and winter wonderland. Entertainment will be interspersed throughout the evening with performances expected from D-Mac, Bodine as well as Keith. Music by two live bands and a Junkanoo rush-out complete the experience. For people who like to throw parties, Petty said they would be creating the kind of environment from which they can get ideas for their own Christmas affair.
Gates open at 7 p.m. with patrons able to party until 2 a.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at John Watling's or at the gate.
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