Tag Archives: Camana Bay

#GenuineCayman in Photos

Posted on June 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Chef Thomas surveys Patrick Panton's spread at the weekly Camana Bay Farmers Market for greens, soursop, eggplant, and more.

Margie found indian cucumbers at Wednesday's market and may try growing them next season at her Homestead farm.

Happy Birthday to Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Grand Cayman which turned one on Thursday, June 16.  To mark this milestone, a quick update on some things we’re working on which I experienced first-hand when Michael and I were on-island this past week.  Our continued effort to work with local farmers and their product has manifested in a TV pilot called Genuine Cayman which we shot with producer Emma Gladstone for local station Cayman 27.  Hosted by Michael, each episode will take viewers out into the field to source a particular ingredient and meet the people behind it, culminating in the kitchen with a recipe using that ingredient. Bee Heaven Farm’s Margie Pikarsky came down again, continuing her Farmer Exchange and consultation on Camana Bay’s chefs’ garden project.  She also foraged just-about-ripe-for-drying dates from the decorative palms in front our restaurant in the The Crescent, and chef Thomas is figuring out how to work with them. It is going to be a big harvest if Michael can get the nets he wants! Continue reading →

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Posted in Behind the Scenes, Cayman Correspondence, Farmer Update, Field Report, Genuine Cayman, MGFD_GCM, On the Tube

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Cayman Correspondence: Chef Thomas’ Island Foraging, Plus Local Recruitment Begins Next Week

Posted on May 6, 2010 | 1 Comment

Since arriving on-island April 19, chef Thomas Tennant has been hard at work making local connections (like meeting, um, the governor — TWICE!) and getting his opening menu set with Michael and team in Miami.  Although we miss him here on the mainland, technology ensures we are only a BlackBerry message, Gmail ping, and soon-to-be Tweet away from Thomas.  We’ll let you know when he finally caves (read: finds the time) and signs up.  Our development, Camana Bay, is already chirping away @CamanaBay, as is Cayman Island tourism @Cayman_Islands.  Follow them for regular updates on area news and events.

Transition team members Charles and Leilani will be joining Thomas next week to coordinate our first job fair to seek out local hires on-island. Michael will also begin a more frequent travel schedule of visits down to the property as the June opening approaches. He’ll be there Monday through Thursday next week for this big step in local recruitment.

We’ve asked Thomas to send some photos of his work thus far foraging local ingredients.  Here’s what he sent this past weekend, with captions in his own words.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Cayman Correspondence, Field Report, Local Ingredient

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Guess Who’s Going to the Cayman Islands?

Posted on April 19, 2010 | 2 Comments

Leilani hard at work!

Today’s a big day.  After months of planning, we are now beginning to transition Miami team members physically over to Grand Cayman.  The first to go -  at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon! - is our Sous Chef, and soon to be Executive Chef of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Camana Bay, Thomas Tennant.  Bon voyage!

Now that we’re rounding the corner into the home stretch of opening in the Cayman Islands, keep your eyes peeled on the blog for more about life and the culture there (did you know that only during this half of the year for daylight savings, Cayman time is one hour ahead of Eastern?)

We’ll also be posting the reflections of our Miami folks making the journey, both short and long term.  Let’s get the ball rolling with manager Leilani de Leon who is working very closely with general manager Charles Bell to open the restaurant!  Continue reading →

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Posted in Cayman Correspondence

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