
David Machado says things are buzzing since he and sister Sommer took over the Devon House Terrace - photo shows local condiments on every table. They have great Jamaican favourites on the menu.
*Culinary stars*
About two years ago, a group of us had dinner at the Rockhouse in Negril's West End. The meal was so good that we asked to meet the chef, who turned out to be a humble gentleman called Kevin Broderick from St Mary. He said it was his late grandmother who first taught him how to cook. Last Thursday at the Observer Food Awards, Chef Broderick was announced the Chef of the Year from a field of five outstanding chefs, some of international repute. When we sought him out to congratulate him, his eyes misted over as he said, "Well my grandmother is gone now, but I think she would be proud of me." Indeed, she would be.
Congrats to all winners, especially Island Grill, Mother's and Jamaica Broilers, recipients respectively of the People's Choice, Chairman's Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Monday May 23, 2011
Kingston, Jamaica:—With her second album out and climbing reggae charts around the world, Etana embarked on a 12-city tour of the United States, which began on May 10.
The reigning princess of reggae, Etana has already performed to capacity crowds in places such as Denver, Salt Lake City and Oregon and she describes the experience as amazing. This tour comes hot on the heels of a hectic two-week tour of South America, which ended mid-April.
"South America was a good start to the summer," Etana said.
"Though we were the only dark skinned people there most of the time, race wasn't an issue and we were all one in reggae music. Ska music especially is alive and well over there, and trust me the people love reggae music bad! If you follow dem you sing all night for hours and they won't stop dancing."
Etana continued saying that while she knew her sophomore album Free Expressions was gaining significant traction in North America, the artiste did not expect for the crowds to know all the new songs she has incorporated into her performance set.
"People respond to the new songs just the same as the older ones. They love them and I'm so grateful about that. Some crowds have gone as far as to even ask me to sing certain songs in my set, like Dance off the new album or I Got You. All the crowds so far just go crazy over People Talk. They know it, love it and sing it word for word!" the excited songbird exclaimed.
"Everything about this tour so far has just been amazing. Mi excited about the vibes out here on the road. I could do another month! The clubs are always full to capacity and it is all screams during our performances. And even when both are shows are over and we walk out, people still hang around the stage."
The tour will see Etana completing performances San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and other places in California. After she ends her US west coast stint, the songstress heads to Miami for the Best of The Best Concert and comes home to rest before her European tour in July.
Fans and music lovers can keep in touch and in-tune with Etana on her website (www.etanastrongone.com) or Twitter (@EtanaStrongOne) and on Facebook (Etana)
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Too many governments as well as non-state actors control the viewpoints that reach citizens and brutally repress independent voices which aim to promote accountability, good governance, and economic development.
Freedom of the press in Jamaica is guaranteed as an off-shoot of freedom of expression under the Constitution.
It is full-time for us to declare press freedom in its own explicit terms, so that every Jamaican knows, without the shadow of a doubt, that he or she has the right to express himself or herself freely whether in private or as part of the national dialogue via media.
For the most part, we enjoy a free press in Jamaica. There are issues concerning the very strict, archaic libel laws which curtail the press' ability to expose corruption and concerns about public officials without fear of redress.
Recent efforts by our Parliament did very little to change this situation. Although there is talk to repeal the Official Secrets Act, there is still a damning culture of fear among public officials that ensures that secrecy remains the culture, whether or not it is the law. This makes it difficult if not impossible to bring some issues to public attention.
For changes to the libel laws, we argue for the Sullivan brand, which holds public officials to greater scrutiny by virtue of the fact that they make decisions in the public interest and are paid from the public purse. Hence, they ought to be held accountable by the public they serve.
If we do not ensure that the press is free to investigate and publish its findings, we would have taken a backward step in regard to our freedom for which our fore-parents fought long and hard.
As journalists, we do not take our freedom for granted, we too undergo self-examination to ensure that we hold fast to high standards and serve our public with dignity.
We abide by our Code of Practice which lays out the framework for responsible media and as we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, we recommit ourselves to the tasks of providing truths which will offer worthwhile options to our people.
Jenni Campbell
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