Restaurateur/chef Patricia La Corte once again opened her Frenchtown eatery, Oceana, to visiting pastry chef Michelle Janah and nutritionist Andrea Reser from Cancer Treatment Centers of America, who presented sweet treats with a difference. 
The event, which was hosted by Charlene Kehoe of International Capital Management Co., has become one of those regular events that so many look forward to. This time around, pastry chef, Michelle Janah showed those who may be challenged by serious illnesses, such as cancer or diabetes, or who may be caring for someone who is challenged, how to adapt traditional desserts, so abundant during this holiday season, so that the sugar intake is greatly reduced. She also used some of the most unusual ingredients as substitutes.
One of the surprising hits of the event was a vegan cake with icing made using cauliflower. It must have been scrumptious because there were only crumbs left after it was served.
Among those who enjoyed the sweet tastings were Marion Bridges, Kathleen Holder, Mary Griffith, Baldeo Algoo, Joanna Yeates-Amara, Joan Sereika, Jane Brown, Blandine Smith, Yvonne Freeman with her hubby, and their friend Kaeche Liburd. Each attendee was also gifted with a special cook book entitled, "Wholesome Temptations." Keep an ear open for the next event. It is always free to the public and the food served is always delicious.
The holiday party hosted by the Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association was a blast. The partying began in the terminal in St. Thomas where the champagne flowed as the throng gathered before heading over to St. John on the Lady Caneel. Our hostess, executive director of the association, Lisa Hamilton, was totally in the spirit of the season with a beautiful string of Christmas lights hung around her neck like a necklace. Too cute! 
As we disembarked at the Caneel Bay property, staff members of the hotel, including Toya Ellis, lined our path and greeted each guest with warm welcomes. We were ushered into the dining room where the most scrumptious feast was laid out, including Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges; Pepper Jack and Black Bean Pastelitos; Blackened Island Red Snapper with mango/pineapple salsa; Organic Mixed greens; Banana Coconut Cream Tart and Key Lime Pielets. After guests ate and drank to their heart’s content, DJ I-Dwain pumped up the volume and we took to the dance floor.
Among those enjoying the fete were chairman of the board, Trudie Pryor with her hubby Neil; Richard Doumeng, who had too many titles to record in this small space; Caneel Bay’s GM, Nikolay Hotze; Bill Newbold; the new GM at Windward Passage, Patrick Mc Cowan; Judi Nagelberg; Lucinda Schutt; Dorene Carle; Yvette de la Banque; Mary Gleason; Amanda Terry; Amy La Place; Tesheira Hanley; Julia Gregoire; Sharon Hupprich with her husband, Fred; Victoria Fardie; Danielle Dunscombe; Anita Davis; Robert Leonard; Luanda and Shane Kelly; and Tom Bolt and Jenny Smith.
The annual raffle was a big hit among those in attendance. Funds raised were added to contributions to the scholarship fund for students in the association’s Hospitality Training Program. I got really lucky! Thanks to Nicole Friday for bringing me the box to safeguard my prize.
This Christmas was spent like so many in recent years, as a guest at the home of my dear friend, Raul Carrillo, enveloped in the love of his wonderful family. This time around we were treated to the addition of a new baby, Enrique Febres, son of Eddie and Alnesah, as well as the addition to the family circle of Freddie and Terri Dottin. Freddie, son of Dr. Federico Dottin and his wife, Iris, is a decorated veteran, who served valiantly in Iraq and elsewhere, and is now back home leading the JROTC at CAHS. His lobster bisque was such a hit that it is being added to the regular Christmas menu.
After dinner, the entire family and friends gathered around the beautifully decorated pine tree where we were serenaded by Raul’s grandniece, Savanna McCarthy, as her grandmother, Diane Robinson and her good friend, Xye Inzaro from Kansas City, Mo. looked on with great pride.
May you all have the very best year ever in 2012! Happy New Year to you and yours!
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Invitations to public and private events may be sent to junearchibald2@gmail.com or source@viaccess.net
