The stunning Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York was the setting for the 34^th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball and Awards Presentations on June 15, 2007, and of course, Luxury Experience Magazine was there.

Dave Price, CBS News' The Early Show, was the Master of Ceremonies at the Black Tie Event. The evening began on a colorful note as the Danza Fiesta Group of Puerto Rico, gave an uplifting presentation of the Caribbean Governments' flags.

Martinique Group Photograph

Mrs. Jacqueline Johnson, Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation, Inc, and Mr. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organization, helped create an evening to remember.

Each year the Governments of the Caribbean presents Awards of Excellence. The 2007 Award Recipients include:

Josser Daniel and Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace

On receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Reverend Wesley Winfield Hall replied, "It is a moment that happens only once in a lifetime, and I wish that this moment could be frozen in time. When you share joy, it is doubled."

Celebrity Chefs Patrick Browne from St. Kitts; Erik Peters, Club Med Corporate Chef; and Executive Sous Chef Jasmine Young of Atlantis in the Bahamas, brought a taste of the Caribbean to the Waldorf=Astoria with an enticing island-inspired menu.

The Menu

Appetizer

Grilled Salmon with Truffled Lentil Salad
Grape Tomatoes and Asparagus Tips
White Trufle Emulsion and Herb Oil

Entrée

Chili-Rubbed Beef with Orange Chutney Glaze
Creamy Coconut Rice
Candied Eggplant and Braised Leeks
Mole Sauce

Dessert

Passion Banana Dacquoise
Coconut Dacquoise, Pabana Gelee and White Chocolate Mousse
Passionfruit Sauce

Friandises

Assorted Petits Fours and Lace Cookies

Of course it would not be a Caribbean event without music and dancing, and Franck Muhel of Martinique Sunrise and his partner, Tessa Whitaker, provided dinnertime entertainment. Dressed in period costumes, Franck and Tessa showed the history of the Caribbean through various dances. The Danza Fiesta Group of Puerto Rico also performed a series of dance numbers.

Nadine Sutherland & Edward F. Nesta

After dinner, guests danced the night away to the music of Lambert and the Matadors Orchestra, and the energetic, and talented, Nadine Sutherland, who had the guests up on their feet or dancing in their chairs.

For information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) please visit the website: www.onecaribbean.org. 

© September 2007. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.