Cooking in Paradise at Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Nourished by fresh, local, and seasonal foods St Lucians are in rhythm with their climate - stronger, healthier and more resistant to disease. The harvest of this local bounty brings islanders in contact with the fisherman and farmers. This local market creates a dialogue, which attaches faces and personalities to the wonderful foods that are raised here. Local, organic and sustainable food choices strengthen the community's economy, provide wholesome and nutritious foods and minimize the negative impact of food producing endeavors on the environment.

Tropical Fruits are one of the defining ingredients in this cuisine. Mango, papaya, guava, pineapple, banana, tamarind, sour orange and passion fruit are each common and at the same time exotic when cooking in Paradise. In April, Jade Mountain invites guests to participate in creating dishes using these natural sustainable resources from this lush island and from their organic Emerald Gardens and the Plantation fruits from Anse Mamin.

Friday April 9th
Paradise cocktail party, 6:00-7:00 pm
Evening starts with a few Tropical Fruit and Edible savory cocktails, local, seasonal and sustainable finger foods and tastes. Chef Allen and Chef Jonathan will host an interactive tropical fruit display to tantalize taste buds and introduce guests to the flavors of paradise.

Saturday April 10th
Tour of Nick Troubetzkoy's Emerald Gardens hosted by our consulting Chef Allen Susser, 9:00- 11:00 am
Start the morning with a walking and tasting tour of Jade Mountain's Organic Garden at Emerald Estate to see first hand the Jade Cuisine concept; "From the Farm to the Plate." Crisp salad greens, cucumbers, pumpkin, eggplants, cabbages, baby carrots and 10 varieties of herbs, tropical fruits, mangos, and cacao beans are grown here. Enjoy a relaxed tropical snack on the back porch of the farmhouse.

Chef Allen's Cooking in Paradise: a live interactive cooking demonstration located in the Jade Club Lounge, 4:00 pm
Chef Allen will share his vision of cooking in Paradise in a live interactive cooking demonstration using a tropical fusion of the local cultures in a sweet, spicy, and aromatic harmony. Recipes and Tasting will be included.

A spoonful of paradise at Jade Mountain Dinner: beginning at 7:00 pm
A five-course dinner with a spectacular Seasonal and Sustainable Menu matched with wines

Sunday April 11th
Tropical Breakfast in Bed
Sunday should be a day of rest and tranquility. This means breakfast in bed. The menu for Sunday – in Paradise – morning is light and refreshing. Fresh and exotic featuring seasonal fruits, freshly baked breads, artesian cheeses and freshly brewed St Lucian native coffee or loose-leaf teas.

Monday April 12th
Lunch on the Private Beach at the Jungle Grill at Anse Mamin
Take a water taxi over and enjoy a leisurely lunch grilled under the palm and mango trees. The menu is simple and delicious featuring freshly caught fish and salads.

Tour the Plantation at Anse Mamin with our special guide Meno at 1:45 pm
The grounds include an old and tropical plantation called Anse Mamin. This was originally a sugarcane plantation in the 18th century, until changing hands turned towards Cocoa plants. The cocoa plants are still numerous on the grounds for guest to see and for the resort to produce their own estate chocolates. In Anse Mamin one can find turmeric, cashews, tamarind, mango, avocado, oranges, tangerines, guavas, papaya, coconut, breadfruit, yams and sweet potatoes. The superior taste and quality of the ingredients as well as the connection to the earth is the motivation. By happenstance Anse Mamin is a wonderful organic resource.

Monday evening Managers greeting cocktail party 6:30 – 7:00 pm
Exotic, tropical cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres. Hor d'oeurves that reflect the wonderful flavors of Cooking in Paradise are served on the celestial terrace.

Tuesday April 13th
Cooking in Paradise Class starts at 5:30 pm - located in the Jade Club Lounge
This is an interactive cooking class hosted by Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden. "I teach some of our trade secrets such as cooking fish to perfection. As a Caribbean Chef I spend a lot of time hand picking my own ingredients available all over the Island. I like to share my experiences with our guests."

For reservations call 800-223-1108 or e-mail jademountain@ansechastanet.com