St. Lucia’s JADE MOUNTAIN will celebrate several food festivals in 2010 in collaboration with consulting Chef Allen Susser and his culinary team. He will explore the versatile and delicious local fruits and ingredients growing right in the resort’s backyard.

The 2010 CULINARY EVENT DATES are as follows:

April 9, 10, 11 – Cooking in Paradise extols the “The virtues of a locally grown Caribbean cuisine.” During these three delicious days participants will have guided expeditions to the reservoir, an in-depth Tropical Fruit work shop, walks into nearby local town of Soufriere viewing  St. Lucia’s exotic markets, tasting tours of Jade Mountain’s own Organic Garden at Emerald Estate, and of course a cooking class by Chef Allen. And there is plenty of fruit sampling at picnic and grilled lunches, tropical fruit stations. Event ends with a Champagne Mango cocktail and buffet brunch at the neighboring Anse Mamin Beach followed by a tour of the historical plantation and the local fruits and spices that grow there.

June 11, 12, 13 – Mango Madness or 1001 Things You Could Do To A Mango Before You Die is a yearly favorite. Chef Allen Susser, who is the author of a Mango cookbook and the definite authority on mangos, will host the event personally.  He and his team, celebrate the many varieties of mangos available in St Lucia.  The activities include a mango chutney work shop, mango cocktail party, Mango tasting and demonstration Mango Madness cooking class- the highlight being the “Night of 1000 Mangos” dinner at the Jade Mountain Club. Participants in the Mango Madness will join in mango field trips to the resort owned organic and historical plantations of Anse Mamin and Emerald. The farewell event will include a Mango Champagne Brunch served on the beach at Anse Mamin estate.

October 9, 10, 11 – Spices of the Caribbean captures the flavors of faraway places. Specific combinations of herbs, spices, and flavorings characterize the great dishes of the world’s cuisines. These mixtures are influenced by the foodstuffs native to each region, being distinctive by the climate, architecture of the land and local culture. The three day spice fest will include  walking and tasting tour of our own Organic Garden at Emerald Estate, Chef Allen’s cooking class “Spices of the Caribbean”, visit to Soufriere local town markets and specially prepared lunches and a five-course dinner spectacular Seasonal and Sustainable Menu using local grown fare.

December 10, 11, 12 – Discover Chocolate Festival is a delicious, interactive and exotic introduction to the world’s favorite aphrodisiac – chocolate. Cacao has a history in St Lucia that dates back to the 1700’s. Our Cacao trees, over 1000 strong, are established in both Anse Mamin Plantation and in Emerald Estate. The event starts with a “Chocolat-tini” party. Chef Allen Susser will share his talents and passion for chocolate. Take pleasure in a complimentary chocolate martini. Taste local, seasonal chocolate inspired savory finger foods.  Following dinner you can choose from our exotic chocolate desserts including a lush Double Dark Chocolate Fondue that must be shared to enjoy its true aphrodisiac pleasures.

Jade Mountain, drenched in exotic beauty and erupting with flavor, nourishes both the body and soul. It’s “Jade Cuisine” created by James Beard award winner, Chef Allen Susser, is a brave new world of tropical flavors. His cuisine is exotic and delicious, with a history of fusion in its fabric.

“Jade Cuisine is a celebration of the bold flavors of the world’s tropical cultures in my kitchen at JADE MOUNTAIN “, says Chef Allen.”The cooking is fresh, simple and succinct. There is always flexibility for the seasons, and availability of local product. As a chef my passion is taste. The bottom line here is that food comes”

Allen Susser personal culinary viewpoint has been established since 1986 upon opening his groundbreaking Miami restaurant Chef Allen’s. The New York Times called Allen the “Ponce De Leon of New Florida cooking”. Chef Allen’s New World Cuisine is fresh and flavorful, like a tropical vacation on a plate. His vision of what the future holds is a culinary fusion of cultures that share similar landscapes, tropical ingredients and diverse spices.

Allen is currently the spokesman for the National Mango Board, and serves as President of the Miami, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. He is a prestigious James Beard Award winner and received an honorary Doctorate of Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University. Allen was Chef of the Year for Share Our Strength for his community involvement to End Childhood Hunger, as well as currently active on the Board of the Daily Bread Food Bank.

For more information or to book your culinary event  trip at Jade Mountain St.Lucia , please contact 800-223-1108 or email jademountain@ansechastanet.com. Visit the resort website or their high res image bank . Become a Facebook Fan