SALTFISH TO STAR ON RESTAURANT WEEK MENUS

A number of restaurants have taken up the challenge for the much anticipated upcoming Restaurant Week 2009 by including on its menus the Jamaican favourite, saltfish.

The versatile saltfish will be featured in creative and innovative dishes that will combine the fusion of Chinese, contemporary and local cuisines. Among the participating restaurants include Gimblyn at Alhambra Inn, Guilt Trip, The Reef in Kingston as well as Restaurant Week newcomers, Seahorse Grill and Pelican in Montego Bay.

Dragon City Restaurant in Kingston will add to its main course offerings a twist on its Chinese favourite – chicken and saltfish fried rice, while Gimblyn Restaurant will be keeping it ‘local’ with saltfish rundown in coconut curry rum sauce served over Jamaican Polenta. Pasta lovers will also not be left out as Guilt Trip will entice its patrons with a unique saltfish pasta dish.

“Saltfish from Norway is excited to come on board as sponsors of Restaurant Week for a second year”, says Svein Wara, Branch Director, Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).

“Jamaica is one of few nations across the world, which include saltfish as an important part of the diet. Compared with other countries such as Brazil, Portugal and Greece, Jamaicans use the fish in a limited way.”  Svein Wara notes that there are said to be over 1,000 ways to prepare saltfish. While for Jamaicans its inclusion usually signals basic dishes, in other cultures, saltfish is a central part of fine dining experiences, and is used in high-end hors-d’oeuvres and entrees.

“Through the sponsorship of Restaurant Week,” Wara said, “the Council hopes to encourage a greater use of saltfish in innovative and in non-traditional dishes.”

Diners will be tempted with various tantalising saltfish creations during Restaurant Week which will run from November 7 – 14.