Cayman Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and doctors and staff at Health City Cayman Islands are looking forward to participating in the celebrations, with a special Thanksgiving tasting menu to be held at the hospital on the evening of 5^th December.

Dr Chandy Abraham, Medical and Facility Director at Health City, explained why they felt it was important to be involved in this event.

“Thanksgiving is a time of year when fellowship is particularly celebrated and the Thanksgiving meal is at the very centre of the festivities, so we have invited members of the community and staff at Health City to come together and enjoy a wonderful meal on this special occasion,” he said. “In total we should have around 100 guests for the evening.”

Cayman Thanksgiving gives everyone the opportunity to host or partake in gatherings and welcome non-family members into their homes for fellowship centred on a traditional Caymanian meal using locally grown produce. With this in mind, organisers have enlisted the help of two local cooks, Mr. Alvin McLaughlin from North Side and Ms. Marcia Hurlse from East End, who will be preparing local specialties of a Cayman coconut fish dinner and Cayman style beef for guests to enjoy. They will be supported by budding chefs studying the culinary arts at Cayman’s School of Hospitality Studies, who will act as sous chefs for the evening. Blue Cilantro restaurant owner/executive chef Vidyadhara Shetty will also be on hand to help with proceedings.

Samuel Rose of the Cayman Thanksgiving Planning Committee shared his excitement for showcasing small samples of Caymanian dishes.

“We have embraced this opportunity to join the management and staff of Health City Cayman Islands for this special evening on the eve of Cayman Thanksgiving. There is no better way to teach people about our culture and history than by sharing traditional Caymanian food,” he said.

Organisers are also anticipating the involvement of Health City Chefs who may wish to join in the demonstration to showcase a recipe which they have incorporated from a local dish. The Thanksgiving dinner will be complemented by local ladies and gentlemen who enjoy dressing up in traditional dress and who will be at the event, adding a distinctively local ambiance to the evening.

“We are very much looking forward to an enjoyable evening as we celebrate Cayman Thanksgiving,” Dr Chandy said.

From Cayman Thanksgiving

Cayman Thanksgiving is a weekend-long national celebration to honour Caymanian heritage, culture and way of life. This is a time for fellowship among family, friends and neighbours while allowing an opportunity for our Caymanian community to express gratitude for our many blessings. This weekend celebration will culminate on the first Sunday of December, centred around a traditional Caymanian meal.

Cayman Thanksgiving is observed annually on the first Sunday in December giving our community an opportunity to express gratitude, mark the passage of the hurricane season and celebrate Caymanian traditions.   Annual festivities for the Cayman Thanksgiving commence on the weekend preceding the first Sunday in December.

The first Sunday after the official passage of the Atlantic hurricane season was chosen because there has recently been two major hurricanes (Ivan in 2004 and Paloma in 2009) that devastated Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. In taking the observance of Thanksgiving outside of the hurricane season, it unites all three islands in giving thanks.

For 2014, on Saturday 6th December Market & Music at the Grounds replaces the popular Homecoming Concert and will be held at the Agricultural Pavilion from 7am-3pm. All are encouraged to attend a worship service of your choice on Saturday 6th or Sunday 7th December. Celebrations culminate in homes and participating restaurants throughout Cayman with Cayman Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Sunday falling this year on 7th December.

All members of the community are especially encouraged to donate unused hurricane supplies/groceries to a local food pantry or to people in need. It’s also a great opportunity to spend quality time with family, greet a visitor to our Islands or simply catch up with old friends and experience “Caymankind”.

Who should celebrate

Cayman Thanksgiving can be celebrated by everyone in the Cayman Islands, the Caymanian diaspora and other people of the world who have an affinity for these Islands.

Why Celebrate?

Cayman Thanksgiving designates a time in the Cayman Islands that brings a greater and more specific focus on Caymanian heritage and culture. Borne out of love for our country and in the spirit of humility, kindness and service, this weekend-long national celebration brings family, friends and neighbours together to express gratitude, mark the passage of the hurricane season and celebrate a “Caymankind” of holiday. As an open invitation to all to experience Caymanian culture first-hand, we reach out to the Caymanian diaspora and other people of the world who feel a sense of connection to our Islands.

Cayman Thanksgiving showcases a mosaic of Caymanian experiences that portray our Caymanian culture and values and promote the celebration of all things Caymanian.

Source: http://caymanthanksgiving.ky