The Great House

As if sourcing local food during my Jamaican adventure wasn't amazing enough, I also had the chance to enjoy a lunch prepared from our findings.  The setting- a gorgeous, old restored organic farm located up a winding, bumpy road with a breathtaking view of the endless ocean below.

The farm used to be an old Allspice plantation, and the new owners, Ellie and her husband David, are slowly restoring the grounds to their previous glory, using all organic methods, and adding on to the many improvements the Rickham family made in their 30 years of prior ownership.  The property plays home to a host of free range chickens and ducks, and soon, the cleared fields will welcome lambs and goats.

While I certainly loved the quirky animals, the gardens are what captured my heart.  I have never seen such a variety of flowers, and interesting herbs, fruits and vegetables.  Just look at these interesting raspberries- I was told that they can't locate the variety in any book- so its name is a mystery.

After a walking tour of the extensive grounds, we sat down to a gorgeous lunch- red snapper with a tomato sauce, fresh garden salad, an amazing green herb sauce, mixed roasted vegetables, and crushed Lucea Yam (a local root vegetable).  To drink- fresh lemonade, made from the citrus trees dotting the property.  And for dessert, pineapple- picked that very morning.  I'm sure I don't even need to say it- but to eat like this every day would be my idea of heaven.

Ellie, and her friend Jane- both incredible cooks- are starting to host farm lunches on the property, featuring all local foods sourced from farms, markets and fisherman.  If you happen to be traveling to Jamaica anytime soon, please shoot me an email, as I would love to introduce you to these two ladies.  I promise you that attending their lunch would be the highlight of your trip- as it was mine!