( L - R ) Lensley Wolfe, Carrole Guntley
It's all systems go for the 10th Annual Epicurean Escape at the Grand Lido Negril, with everyone from the world of food and wine in attendance. Also in attendance will be vacationing oenophiles and food lovers who have planned their weekend around this prestigious event.
And speaking of beautiful people and places, congratulations are extended to hotelier par excellence, Josef Forstmayr of the eternally beautiful Round Hill Hotel and Villas, near Montego Bay, as news out of Coral Gables, Florida, is that Forstmayr has been named the president-elect of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).
No surprise, as he has been the leading figure in the tourism and hospitality industry behind the renaissance which has seen Jamaica and the Caribbean enjoying a boom in the high-end tourism market. His celebrity-driven marketing has seen a string of stars returning to the region, particularly Jamaica. And we do mean celebrities in from Hollywood and the hallowed halls of some of Europe's leading families, from the nobles to the mega-wealthy. And, of course, some of America's finest and wealthiest. With Forstmayr at the helm of the CHTA, the region's tourism industry will most certainly benefit.
Celebrations
Many happy returns to the charming couple, Don and Irenia Patterson, who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their marriage on July 7. The couple, who met and got married in London where they were both students, returned to London for their 25th anniversary, but are scheduled to celebrate the 30th here with family and friends!
And July is definitely the preferred wedding month for the Patterson family, as July 4 will see Keith Patterson and wife Monica celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary. No word yet where the event will take place as Keith, who is an engineering consultant, is based in Houston, Texas, where he is employed to oil giant Exxon Mobile, and Monica (and their two daughters) are based in London. Congrats all around!
Sandals heir weds tomorrow
( L - R ) Betty Ashley, Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin, Louise Valle - Contributed photos
And speaking of wedding anniversaries, the buzz all this week is about the impending nuptial of the heir apparent to the Sandals hotel chain, Adam Stewart, the son of Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and former wife, P.J. Stewart, and his Bahamian fiancée Jill Simpson. The wedding is all set for Saturday in the hills above Kingston and is all very hush-hush. So much so, we hear that guests will be shuttled to the location that was not disclosed on the invites! It will be at a tiny church and already the family have converged on the area for what is reportedly a very private affair. Best wishes all around!
And it's time for Cancerians everywhere to celebrate their birthdays with the charm chutzpah known only to them! The fabulous Betty Ashley celebrates her birthday tomorrow, as will leading tourism personality Carrole Brady and retired Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe. On Tuesday, June 30, the lovely Marsha Wilson and Amoi Leon will both be celebrating their birthdays!
On Wednesday, July 1, Canadians everywhere will be celebrating their country's National Day, but for Canada's former 'first lady' here, the lovely Louise Valle, it will be a double celebration, as she will be celebrating her birthday on the historic day.
Also celebrating on July 1 is the lovely Nardia McKenzie. The fab socialite and legal eagle Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin celebrates her birthday on July 2, as will the lovely Lisanne Magnus, with the partying being in Atlanta, Georgia, and fabulous Sheryn Hilton-Parker, who will be celebrating in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The charmingly lovely Sandy Chue-Alexander celebrates her special day on the third of July, as will the lovely Tish Still of New Jersey, who will be making the party happen in Jamaica, at her all-time favourite resort, Hedonism III. And on July 4, while Americans everywhere will be celebrating their Independence Day, the fabulous Michelle Dawson will be making it her very special day, in Miami, Florida, no less, as she celebrates her birthday.
Many happy returns to y'all, with champagne toasts all around!