Culinary Tourism, Brandywine, a Bare Hut, and what's a ManPot?

Three, two, one ON THE AIR! …and the second LIVE remote was a happening from Brandywine Bay Restaurant, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Malcolm Boyes, sitting in for Robin Hicks-Connors (who's off on a European trip of her own), and Chef Davide Pugliese in the guest seat, the good times began to role.  At the top of the show, Radio Man, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin gave shout outs to all the great folks that made the trip and the show possible, including Jerry from Jerry’s Car Rentals, our St. Thomas taxi driver, the Love Cab, and U.S. and BVI Customs and Immigration for a smooth entry.  What are the Treasure Coast connections to the show?  For one, Freddie “John” Wilson from Stuart, Florida, owner of Casa Allamanda, which has become Gary and Misti’s second home in the BVI. Thanks Freddie!

For listeners who may not have known exactly where in the world Tortola is, Malcolm provided a geography lesson and shared how easy it is to travel to this tropical paradise from the U.S. With geography lesson out of the way, the stories began to roll on when and how Malcolm, Chef Davide and Gary fell in love with the BVI.  Remarkably, three very different people had eerily similar tales to tell.  Each revolved around a woman and the love of the “Caribbean Way."  Fast-forwarding to the present, Gary and Malcolm headed for the topic of the day, Culinary Tourism in the Caribbean.  Chef Davide was certainly up to the task as he began to describe how he began his career, and what influenced him in the development of his style of combining classic Italian with the best of the Caribbean.  Availability of product, creative use of standard (and not so standard) ingredients and passionate creativity all combined to create the Chef Davide “signature” that has become so popular in his restaurants in Tortola and elsewhere.  A few questions listeners will hear answered when listening to the show include:  Is the current food media hype in broadcast, print and elsewhere creating higher expectations for the dining public?  Besides excellence in food quality and preparation, what is the second most important part of the dining experience?

Sprinkled in the mix of laughs and stories, was an assortment of more “Treasure Coast Connections," how Malcolm received his island name--Manpot--and from whom, and a discussion of the current state of affairs with the invasive Lionfish in the BVI.

Saving the best for last, Chef Davide explained his new creation for the ultimate culinary tourism experience, Wali Nikiti, located on private Scrub Island, BVI.

Before you listen to this part of the show, YOU HAVE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS!  Then, and only then, will it all make sense.  For example, how can a house have no walls, corners or windows?  And, what the heck does Wali Nikiti mean? (BVI).  With celebrity guest co-host

Thanks for listening! We know you'll have as much fun as we did doing it! And, for those of you with DIF (dreaded island fever)--you know who you are, fix yourself a rum drink, and get ready to escape to paradise, even if it's just for one hour. Here's the audio link to the show. And, below are several photo albums for your viewing pleasure.









See you for another fun-filled hour this coming Friday!

NEWS FLASH---The Talkin' Tourism crew was among the thousands impacted by the Spirit Airlines strike. We're 'stranded' on Tortola and return flights are a little hard to get, so we'll be in the BVI a bit longer than expected. The good news? We'll be doing another LIVE show this Friday, June 18, from the BVI. If you're on Florida's Treasure Coast, you can catch the show on your radio dial at WPSL 1590 AM. If you're anywhere else in the world, catch the show on the Internet at www.wpsl.com. The fun begins at 10 a.m.!

Wali Nikiti--one of tomorrow's show's topics

Check out the photos of this fabulous retreat on Scrub Island in the British Virgin Islands. If you love culinary tourism, turn in to the show tomorrow, Friday, June 11 at 10 a.m., to learn more about this Caribbean enclave owned by Chef Davide and Cele Pugliese.

LIVE from the Caribbean--Culinary Tourism and All T'ings Caribbean

Even Radio Man (aka Gary Guertin) has to take a vacation from time to time…right?  Well, where does the Ambassador to FLAHAMA go on vacation?  To the Caribbean of course!  As they say in show business, “the show must go on,” so Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is pleased to be producing its second live remote from beautiful Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. What are the Treasure Coast connections? You’ll have to listen in this Friday at 10 a.m. to find out.

What surprises are in store? How about having a return guest co-host appearance by Malcolm Boyes, who is an award-winning journalist, Malcolm (aka Manpot) has worked for the likes of the National Inquirer and interviewed celebrities such as John Wayne, Cher, Clint Eastwood, and more. In addition, Malcolm’s illustrious career has included stints with The Star, People magazine, Cable News Network, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Inside Edition, A Current Affair and Hard Copy, to name a few. And, that’s just our the co-host!

So what’s the show theme?  Quite simply fabulous food and all things Caribbean. Talkin' Tourism is thrilled to have famed Chef Davide Pugliese, owner of Brandywine Bay Restaurant and Capriccio de Mare located in Tortola, as our special guest.  He and his wife Cele's restaurants are renowned for their fabulously creative cuisine.  Born in Italy and a former fashion photographer, you will hear the incredible story of pursing his passion for all things culinary. Davide has been a chef and team manager for the British Virgin Islands Culinary Team in the Taste of the Caribbean, was one of the celebrity chef's this year in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and has won many other awards and recognitions. Could you take culinary lessons under Chef Davide?  If you listen closely, you will hear Chef Davide talking about his exclusive enclave-Wali Nikiti-on Scrub Island, BVI built exclusively for this purpose.

What else?  If Malcolm and Chef Davide don’t fill the hour, there will certainly be Tortolian updates and adventures.  By the way, if you ever want a break from the heat of South Florida in the summer, come to Tortola.  It is cooler and less humid here than on the Treasure Coast!

Thanks for tuning in live on Friday at 10 a.m., either on your radio--WPSL 1590 AM--or for the live audio stream on your computer at--www.wpsl.com. If you can't listen to the show live, check out the Talkin' Tourism blog post-show for the audio file (posted a day or two after the show). The photos alone will be worth your visit!

What's Life-Saving Rum Punches, Police and Fire Departments, and the Caribbean Have in Common? Talkin' Tourism!

When you're the host of a radio show like Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast, you get to do a lot of cool stuff! This week Radio Man, and special guest host Ed Griffith (manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach), did the show from the east porch of the oldest building in Martin County, Florida—the House of Refuge. It was a gorgeous morning, as the photos will attest. For the surfer dudes and dudettes, a nice  little 2’-3’ swell was running. Next time Gary plans to bring along (and use) his long board!

Amy Christensen, the development manager for the Historical Society of Martin County, was full of great information about the history of the building and the purposes a House of Refuge served in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s along Florida’s east coast. The life-saving station keepers were a special breed and were isolated for long periods of time—not your typical type of job. And, what about the lady of the life-saving 'casa'? What was her role in the scheme of things? Did you know that the Historical Society has a special cocktail in honor of the House of Refuge? Indeed they do, but you’ll have to listen to this past week’s show to get the recipe. According to Amy, it is really, really good, and yes it is a rum grog, hearty and tasty enough for infamous pirates like Don Pedro Gilbert!

In the second half of the show, Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, gave listeners a wrap up of the recently completed FHSSA Baseball Tournament that took place at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. According to Tom the event was a great success contributing significantly to the tourism business on the Treasure Coast. So, what other sports activities and events does the Sports Commission have lined up? Besides the upcoming Florida Police and Fire Games returning again this year the list is pretty big. If you love sports, there are some you just may want to attend.

The time flew but Gary had a chance to do a Bahamas update, which included information on the upcoming change in hotel tax in July, a new cruise to the Bahamas sailing out of South Carolina and changes in customs duties (many being lowered) on materials being brought into the Islands.

Don’t miss out! Listen to last week’s show, enjoy the conversation and the signature rum drink of the House of Refuge!

Thanks for tuning in and keep those cards and e-mails coming. To stay up on breaking news, become one of the show's Facebook fans, and be sure to recommend your friends and family do the same.

See you on Friday!

P.S. Don't miss our June 11 show, coming LIVE from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Guests? One of the best chef's in the Caribbean---Davide Pugliese, the proprietor of the world renown Brandywine Bay Restaurant and South Beach Wine & Food Festival celebrity chef.