With a population climbing steadily toward the two million mark and a mind-numbing assortment of races, religions and customs, it's no surprise that T&T culture remains an unsolved mystery, even to our own inhabitants. To be sure, we each know exactly what we like as individuals, but if we had to define our society in a few words to a foreigner, what would we say? On July 18, the Cloud Nine committee will present their answer to this dilemma with three simple words–Saut� Trinbago 2010. The magnificent and recently-refurbished, Queen's Royal College courtyard is the venue chosen for this all-inclusive cultural experience, which aims to effectively package the best that this country has to offer.
The perfect mix
"To saut�, literally means to heat different ingredients together and essentially that's what we're doing on this occasion: creating the perfect mix of the finest, hottest ingredients," Shelly Ann Hee Chung of Link Me Ltd explained. Saut� will feature a wide assortment of culinary delights, from the tastiest aloo pies, mini roti and doubles, to pelau, oil down, bake and shark, souse and corn soup. Specialty dishes will also be prepared by popular establishments such as Benihana (Sushi rolls); Miss Trim's (Tobago–curry crab and dumplings); Nick's Gyros; Woodford Caf�; and, Coco Lounge (appetisers), just to name a few.
As patrons feast on these sumptuous dishes, enjoy indigenous treats like sugar cake, red mango, fudge, jub jub and Flavorite frozen desserts, their digestion will also be enhanced by a multi-cultural dance troupe, drummers, midnight robbers, moko jumbies, steelpan and tassa ensembles, as well as live entertainment from Shurwayne Winchester and YOU, Dil-e-Nadan, DJ Darryl and event founder DJ Shaun Christian.
Chef in action.
Experience of a lifetime
According to Christian, what started as a simple fund-raiser has turned into something huge. "I started this event last year as a fund-raiser for a friend of mine who needed urgent medical assistance. But in putting it together and trying to create an entertaining evening for our patrons, I realised just how vast and amazing our culture really is, and decided that I would make it an annual event and use it to showcase the many wonderful ingredients that contribute to our unique existence here in T&T." Already included as a bmobile Hot Ticket event, Saute will also feature the launch of a brand new Carnival band, Oasis, as its organisers aim to craft a perfect blend of our indigenous culture and fine cuisine.
"We're really trying to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said event co-ordinator, Sheena Tang Nian. "We want our patrons to become fully immersed in everything that is Trinidad and Tobago. So, from the time they enter the gate, all through their meals, drinks, the entertainment segments and even after they leave the venue, they should resonate with the power of the ambience and the total Trinbagonian experience." Tickets for Saute 2010 can be purchased exclusively from committee members and participating venues.
For more information, call 74-SAUTE (747-2883) e-mail: sautetrinbago@gmail.com, or log on to facebook, scorch.com or triniscene.com