A fisherman's kind of treat
Published: Sunday | February 8, 2009
Photos by Noel Thompson
LEFT: Basil Bennett (left), proprietor of Basil's Restaurant and Bar in Parottee, St Elizabeth, shares a happy moment with friends, Junior Fraser, of Fraser's Jerk Centre in Spaldings, Clarendon; Lance Graham, lecturer at Knox College, Clarendon; Dale Swaby, of Manchester, and Everton McClaughlin (stooping), businessman of Spaldings. Basil hosted a customer appreciation day.
CENTRE: Basil Bennett (right), serves this family and friends mouthwatering baked fish at the customer appreciation day in Parottee, St Elizabeth. From left are Deputy Superintendent Kingsley Whilby, attached to the St Elizabeth Division; Louis Byrnes, with daughter, Melissa, and wife, Dorrett, and Matthew Davis, of Brompton in the parish.
RIGHT: Teacher Yanique Brown (right) and her friend, Venesha Johnson, both of Black River, St Elizabeth, were among the many guests at a customer appreciation day event held at Basil's Restaurant and Bar in Parottee, St Elizabeth, last week Sunday.
Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
How could it be forbidden when it was straight up love shown in abundance at Basil's Restaurant and Bar on the beach in Parottee, St Elizabeth, last Sunday night?
Friends and acquaintances journeyed from as far as St Thomas, Manchester, Clarendon and St James to spend the day with their long-time friend, Basil.
Customer appreciation
Basil Bennett has been a fisherman since 1972 and for the last five years he has been holding a customer appreciation day for his friends and all those who support him throughout the year.
This year, Basil prepared 500 pounds of fish, which he baked, roasted and fried, and gave them all away to everyone in attendance, while they purchased their beverages and hard liquor from the bar.
A game of dominoes, a shot of rum, good music to feast on and people sinking their teeth into juicy slices of fish completed the evening's happenings.
It was an evening with a difference, simply because it was an ordinary fisherman who took the initiative to share his blessings with so many others.
'God has blessed me and I have to give something back. I plan to make this an annual event," said Basil.
He spent all night Saturday preparing his fish and stayed the course all day and night Sunday.
Member of Parliament for South East St Elizabeth, Franklyn Witter was among those in attendance. He has been attending the event for the past three years.
"When I became mayor in 2003, I met Basil and from ever since we have established a good relationship. I was quite impressed with the food on my first invitation," Witter said.
Entertainment
Silverado sound system from Top Hill, St Elizabeth, provided entertainment. Disc Jockey Teddy Flex played clean, hardcore and lovers' rock rhythms. And as the crowd grooved the night away, it was obvious that it got better by the minute. Christopher Martin's Mi Caan Sleep made it clear that no one was in a hurry to go to bed.