Chester Francis-Jackson, Contribution
Left: Social icon, Aida Issa, warmly welcomes The Earl of Wessex,, Prince Edward, to her home last Tuesday, while her daughter, Muna Issa looks on.
My daahlings, there are few socialites in the world who can boast of having had the telephone numbers of a king in their rolodex! Fewer even who are actually on a first name basis with royals. And fewer still, who can actually lay claim to having entertained not one, but at least three members of the British royal family, with that three being Prince Phillip, his son and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, and his youngest brother, Prince Edward!
If no one else can, at least pioneering hotel tycoon, international 'A-crowders' Hon. John Issa and his wife, the absolutely charming and oh so elegant, Aida, most certainly can!
close friends
With Aida, and her family being very close friends of the Jordanian royal family, particularly so with the late King Hussein, and with the Hon. John Issa, hailing from one of Jamaica's first families, the two are also fabulous humanitarians whose philanthropy an whilst, not executed in the glare of photo opportunities, are very well known by the recipients of their benevolence and charity over many years!
They are firm believers in the empowerment of the socially and financially challenged and by example have not only been fabulous business pioneers, but they have been advocates of the empowerment of the people, through the process of the revamping and retooling of the educational infrastructure. In so doing, they have negated the culture of creating employees, to one of producing a culture of entrepreneurial enterprise!
And so, last week when it was noised about that Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex would be visiting Jamaica, royal watchers and would-be profilers were in a tizzy as they sought to know just where and when the prince would be visiting.
The visit to Jamaica was in conjunction with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards - made annually to youngsters from the age of 14 to 25 involved in voluntary activities. It was only natural that John and Aida Issa would receive the Prince as they did on his last visit to the island some two or three years ago and there's would be a rather more intimate dinner.
The charming dinner party was held at the upper St. Andrew home of John and Aida Issa, on Tuesday last week, and dearhearts, talk about close encounters of the royal kind, well pumpkins; this was it and then some!
Dovecakes, Prince Edward, arrived at the expected hour and after being greeted by hostess, Aida Issa, and husband, John, was presented to the intimate gathering. He mingled freely, exchanging pleasantries during the champagne prelude to dinner!
a great dinner
And daahlings, talk about dinner! Talk about white-gloved service! Well sweet-things, this was all that, and then some!
To begin with, nothing short of a culinary masterpiece would do, and to achieve this, a record 16 chefs from the SuperClubs cadre of culinary masters, including six executive chefs, were brought in from Jamaica and abroad to execute the honours, and this they did in awesome style, preparing as they did, a six-course dinner ensemble that was taken in the luxuriant gardens of the residence.
Dinnerincluded Linstead Market Beggars Purse filled with Ackee nestled on julienne of vegetables; Balaclava Roasted Pumpkin Soup, with honey nutmeg crme friache swirled, Poached Vanilla Bean Lobster, with Breadfruit Galette. Steamed Greens served with coconut saffron sauce. Jerked Black Angus Beef Tenderloin, with roasted truffle sweet potatoes served with thyme juice and fresh market vegetables - and oohs my dears, the service!
Dears, a phalanx of nattily attired waiters, who did a masterful job with their synchronised service, and we are talking a battery of waiter per table here, all serving and clearing in that fine manner that was so flawless it elicited a commendation form the guest of honour.
So, where do you go from there? In overdrive my dears, with almond tulip with chocolate mousse served with marinated fruits! And that, my dears, was the fare on offer to a short list of guests that included family members: Joey Issa; his siblings, twin sisters, the fabulous Muna Issa and the equally fabulous Zein Issa Nakash, her hubby, Chris Nakash; his parents, Albert and Su Nakash; Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicolopulo and his wife, Kareen Nicolopulo; Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Jamaica), Derek McKoy and wife, Grace McKoy; Joe and Tracey Matalon; Douglas and Michelle Orane; Earl and Judith Jarrett; Digicel's David Hall; Banker, Stacey Adams, from First Caribbean; and David and Shera Clarke.
And then there was a troupe from the Carifolk Singers, who served up a medley of traditional Jamaican folk songs and pop arias, and in fine mettle, that ended with the rendition of Bob Marley's international peace anthem - One Love - a fitting tribute, it being the anniversary of the birth of the late international reggae superstar! And then it was time for the kissy-poos and goodbyes, and honey dearest, what a truly civilised do!!
