Plantation Tour and Living History Tour
The newly revamped Bellefield “Taste of Jamaica” tour focuses on the history of Jamaican cuisine with an emphasis on guest participation and interaction. The Great House and its environs have been recently renovated in an effort to authenticate and truly replicate the grandeur and opulence of the “Great Era of the Jamaican Sugar Estate”. Food and entertaining was a defining factor in the life of an 18th century Jamaican planter … 300 years later entertaining and dining is still an important part of daily life and largely defines who we are as a people and a culture. By exploring the culinary and social history of Jamaica during this defining era of our history, patrons will have an opportunity to participate, to taste, to cook, to dance to our music, to sing and most importantly to laugh and enjoy true Jamaican hospitality. The best part is that they will learn a little about Jamaica’s cultural heritage, history and cuisine while they are at it.
The tour begins with a visit to our 100 year old Chattanooga (miniature version of the original sugar mill) that is pushed by our donkey “Willy”. Here, visitors can taste cane juice and raw cane, see an authentic bolier, taste wet sugar and molasses in the original Sugar Mill established in 1794.
New additions to the tour also include local organic herb, fruits and vegetable gardens where guests can see what, where and how our produce grows. An authentic Jerk Pit and smoker have been added to the garden. After experiencing our delicious rum punch and the pick and taste walk and culinary talk – guests will be led to our jerk pit and shown how to make jerk seasoning from an ancient recipe and the authentic process of jerk and its history will be explained and demonstrated. The tour culminates in the Great House which will be set up as an open house where guests may browse through the rooms, review artifacts and read up on the history of an item, the history of the house and the family history. This wonderful experience ends perfectly with a plush luncheon buffet abundant with traditional Jamaican treats.
