Celebrate South African Heritage Month in Jamaica

Nothing brings countries closer together more than a cultural exchange. And since the way to any man's heart is through his stomach, the South African High Commission decided to make this trade with our green shores one of culinary persuasion.

Acting South African High Commissioner Tyrone Gunnie and his wife, Sileena, took the kitchen of Jamaica Liquor Warehouse on Lindsay Crescent in St Andrew back to South Africa, giving them a taste of their savoury national cuisine. The restaurant welcomed them with an open kitchen, and they engaged in a three-hour culinary session with the staff of Jamaica Liquor Warehouse. There, the staff was educated on different dishes, while being shown distinct cooking techniques in the process.

Behind the scenes, the Gunnies felt right at home, exchanging jokes and bantering on the various similarities and differences between our cultures.

The cultural exchange initiative came in light of the fact that September is Heritage Month for the South African High Commission. According to Gunnie, he wanted to develop a deeper and stronger bond between the two nations and decided to share parts of their tradition to kick-start the occasion. When the kitchen session was over, they all sat down for a fancy feast in the great outdoors among close friends and family. Oohs and ahhs could not be contained as specially invited guests dug right into the exciting delectable spread of three beans salad with an orange vinaigrette, beef stew with dumpling, potato salad, sambaal - a combination of cucumber, cilantro and tomato, chicken curry, steak freshly prepared on the grill by Gunnie, drizzled with a South African dry rum and steamed bread baked beforehand by Sileena.

Managing director of Jamaica Liquor Warehouse, Nesha Hoo Kim, shared that since they stock South African wines on their shelves, they decided to complete the gastronomic experience by adding food to the mix. "For the month of September, Jamaica Liquor Warehouse will be featuring South African dishes on our menu to go along with the wines," she added. So, what are you waiting for? Awaken your taste buds and join in on the on South African Heritage Month celebrations at Jamaica Liquor Warehouse today.

For more information, or if you want to make reservations, call Jamaica Liquor Warehouse at 876-925-9427, check out their website at www.jamaicaliquorwarehouse.com hit up their instagram page: @jamaicaliquorwarehouse and Facebook: Jamaica Liquor Warehouse, or visit them at 17 Lindsay Crescent, Kingston

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com