Norma Shirley is being congratulated by a friend after she was presented with an award by the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston for her excellence in cuisine, last Friday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Sacha Walters,Staff Reporter

Champagne cheers to the women of excellence! And the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston was in a mood to toast them all at the Pegasus hotel last Friday, when five women - Norma Shirley, Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Dr. Marigold Thorburn, Maureen Jones and Thyra Heaven - were honoured.

The women were being lauded for their contribution to Jamaican society in their varied fields at the club's 'In celebration of woman' luncheon. Well-wishers and Kiwanians turned out in their numbers to support them.

Shirley

Norma Shirley was honoured for her contribution to the culinary arts. The restaurateur and chef owns three restaurants across the island, Norma's at the Marina, Norma's on the Beach and Norma's on the Terrace. Norma's is known for its fine Caribbean cuisine and Mrs. Shirley has been featured in numerous international magazines, which include Vogue London, Vogue New York and Brides, among others. She is adding author to the list as she will document her life in the book Life in the Food Lane, and will collaborate on the production of The Book of Jamaica: A Culinary Quest.

Potopsingh

Dr. Ruth Potopsingh was lauded for her professional achievements. As Group Managing Director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, a part of the company's mandate is to develop Jamaica's petroleum resources, market petroleum products and produce renewable energy. In 1995 she assisted with the national energy conservation and efficiency programme which worked with residential programmes and hospitals to aid in energy conservation. Also, she led the drive to phase out unhealthy leaded gasolene and introduce two octane levels of gasolene.

Thorburn

Marigold Thorborn was honoured for making a difference in the lives of the mentally handicapped and children with developmental disabilities.

Maureen Jones and Thyra Heaven were acknowledged for their contribution to the less fortunate. Mrs. Jones, who was given the'Because you care award,' has been spearheading a prison ministry through the Stella Maris Church for the last nine years. The group visits the Fort Augusta Correctional Centre once per week and sees to the need of the women, whether it is through finding temporary homes for children born while their mothers are incarcerated, delivering care packages, or simply acting as link to the outside world.

Mrs. Heaven was given the 'Outstanding Community Service Award' for her tireless devotion to raising funds for the Mustard Seed Community.

Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Champagne, one of the sponsors of the event, supplied the champagne for the celebration.

Guests dined on asparagus wrapped in smoked marlin with a vinaigrette sauce for appetiser, baby organic chicken marinated in herbs encrusted in parsley and roasted in a tropical fruit sauce. Sauteed baby potatoes in garlic and rosemary and market vegetables for the entree. For dessert guests enjoyed mango sorbet with mango slices.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the St. Andrew Parish Church Home for Girls.

Some of those in attendance included past awardees Beverley Lopez and Audrey Hinchcliffe, as well as William Potopsingh, Annette Francis, Beverley Thompson, Gerthyln Holman, June Heaven and Caroll Thorburn.

Thyra Heaven (centre) and Dr. Ruth Potopsingh (right) were both recipients of awards from the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston for their contributions in their fields. Bridgette Steele (left), a distinguished president of the club, handed over the plaques to the ladies last Friday.

Proud husband Caroll Thorburn sits with his wife, Dr. Marigold Thorburn, at the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston's 'In Celebration of Woman' luncheon. She was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the lives of children with developmental disorders, and the mentally handicapped in Jamaica. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

Mrs. Maureen Jones (centre) celebrates her Kiwanis Club of New Kingston's Outstanding Community Service Award with her sons, from left: Cameron, Adam, Scott and Justin, last Friday. Mrs. Jones has given nine years of service to a prison ministry, initiated by the Stella Maris Church, which conducts a weekly visit to the Fort Augusta Correctional Centre. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer