The humble sprat takes pride of place at Couples Resorts anniversary
Published:Thursday | February 13, 2020 | 12:00 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
The humble Atlantic herring, commonly known as sprat in Jamaica, was the given pride of place at Couples San Souci’s 14th anniversary celebrations recently.
The chefs were kept busy because as soon as they reloaded the platters of the tiny fish labelled, ‘Crispy fried sprat with Jamaican homestyle pickle”, the delicacy kept vanishing. This was because guests, a large number of whom were pleasantly-surprised Jamaicans, excitedly drew to the booth upon seeing Chef Joel Paul and his colleagues, who were frying up a ‘sprat storm’.
Friday night definitely belonged to sprat, the long-time Jamaican favourite, which ruled over even lobster, shrimp, and other exotic types of seafood.
In keeping with the ‘Love and Reggae Music’ theme, and the red, green and gold décor, food stations were dedicated to the Rastafarian cuisine, which included Rasta pasta station offering a delicious fusion of coconut milk with ackee, callaloo, bell peppers, zucchini and squash.
The Rastafarian seafood station offered, among other things, ital stew consisting of tofu and okra and a herb and lemon marinated crab legs and claws, while the Love Organic Salad Bar showcased a slew of sushi.
Carnival-themed event
At their sister property, Couples Tower Isle’s, where the anniversary celebration continued on Saturday for their 42nd carnival-themed event, it was jerk-roasted duck with orange and ginger juice, jerk-roasted goat, roasted yellow yam, and a myriad of tropical fruits were out in their glory.
It was the jerk-roasted goat which was an apparent favourite among the plethora of other food offerings.
Among the guests who were out celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the St Mary-based resort were Liz and Ron Muir from York in the United Kingdom.
The couple, who celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary a day earlier, were on their 30th trip to Jamaica and their 30th to a Couples resort. For them, the food, the warmth of the staff, the music and the food are the key things that keep them returning to either of Couples’ four resorts each time.
“It’s the quality of the food, the finesse of the whole atmosphere, the quality that they give you, and the staff members know your name; they greet you like you are old friends. You never experience that in any other resort,” Ron said.