Thursday, November 11, 2010

The momentum of time that leads to timelessness

In an uncertain world, one thing we can be sure of is change. As the ancient Greek expression goes, “You never step into the same river twice,” and we all feel ourselves moving through time relentlessly.

At times we rail against it and wish we could reach out and stop it; at other times, like when you are waiting for a train or a loved one to arrive, we wish we could push it forward.

The current economic malaise feels like it has been going on forever, and the days of ambition and exuberance that preceded it just a distant memory. Governments wring their hands and announce programs to “fix” the economy but I suspect that, as usual, time is the real cure and its march will propel us forward as it always does. People will, as they always do, adapt and find new ways to move forward, to realize their dreams, achieve their goals, expand their horizons.

In this constant movement towards the future we can also observe what has come before, see the many cycles and trends that, although so seemingly original at the time, are often variations on a previous theme, and from them recognize those things that remain constant, that people over time respect and respond to, whether in an approach, a creation or a style.

In working to find out the essence of why these approaches, styles, values and expressions seem to crop up consistently over time and through the varying cycles, we uncover the things that are worth focusing on and spending our most precious commodity -- time -- on trying to create, enhance and share.

Whether in ancient times or today, excellence, balance, symmetry, cohesion, consistency and passion are always in style and the things derived from them are instantly recognizable and valued. Valued then and, as the years pass, ever more so.


The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman was started with the recognition that it was a once-in-a-lifetime confluence of place, time and events that could bring together ideas and people that would lay the foundation for something unique and special, not just for a moment but for generations.

It was and is a lofty goal, but by focusing our sights high we have been able to attract people with a similar passion for excellence and along the way, more as an symptom of this pursuit than its cause, people have recognized and applauded what has been achieved.

We see it again this year with the Condé Nast award as the best resort in the region for the third straight year, the AAA Five-Diamond awards for the fourth straight year, the world’s best award for our Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment children's program, but most importantly we see it in the people and families who have made Dragon Bay their home.

From the start, the promise of Dragon Bay was to be able to bring the finest together to create a lifestyle of design, quality and service to meet the needs and desires of our discerning owners. Whether it is in a Residence overlooking Seven Mile Beach, a DeckHouses, with its own private beach, or the waterfront village setting of Secret Harbour, each one is meant to answer even the unspoken desires of our owners.
From its beginnings in the last century, to its inspirations which go back much farther, Dragon Bay has been about unearthing the things that have lasting value and lasting appeal, regardless of the cycle. This view helps make time our ally and our support, allowing us to constantly improve, and it brings with it an ever-expanding group of people who know and enjoy the very best and who choose to spend their precious time with us.

Looking forward to a Legendary Season

In most places in the world, the end of summer brings with it regrets over holidays not taken, hours not spent at the beach, and a general wistfulness as the best time of year passes. Not here in the Cayman Islands. While we enjoy summer to the fullest, the beginning of the fall season just means that the best is yet to come.

For one thing, the weather, which is just about ideal all year round, starts reaching for perfection, with warm days and cool nights. The lovely waters of the Caribbean Sea continue to beckon, with boat trips across the North Sound to Stingray City and Rum Point, or an evening dinner excursion under the stars.

People living elsewhere can argue the merits of their own countries, but based on my trips across the world – by land, sea and air – and admitting a little bias, I can confidently say that Cayman is the place and Dragon Bay allows you to enjoy the very best of it.

Realizing our vision to redefine life on the water involves not only offering an incredible mix of exceptional properties, such as the The DeckHouses and Secret Harbour, but also providing the amenities and events exclusively available to you as one of our residence owners or guests.

Here at Dragon Bay and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, we have been planning a very special event that is destined to be the highlight of the season – the 2010 Legends Tennis Championships.

Tennis greats Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Marat Safin and Michael Chang will be among the renowned players competing as well as taking part in a Pro-Am Tournament with 12 lucky amateurs. As always, proceeds from the events benefit a very worthy cause -- our signature charity for the last eight years – the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.

Everything kicks off 3 November, with the final day of tennis set for 7 November. In between, VIP ticket holders will get to socialize with the players at private parties and enjoy gourmet meals.

With all this set against the backdrop of beautiful fall days and nights, I can only offer one word to describe the experience: perfect.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

World Oceans Day celebrated at Dragon Bay

Luxury resort community anchored by The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman puts a focus on marine conservation

Dragon Bay is celebrating World Oceans Day with a range of activities throughout the week of June 7th.

World Oceans Day was officially declared by the United Nations as June 8th each year beginning in 2009 to honour the world's oceans, celebrate the products and marine life the oceans provide, and to appreciate the oceans’ intrinsic value.

Michael Ryan, from the inception of the Dragon Bay project, has been committed to preserving the pristine marine environment that surrounds us. Joining him in this commitment was one of Dragon Bay’s first partners - the Ocean Futures Society led by Jean-Michel Cousteau.

The mission of the Ocean Futures Society is to inspire and educate people around the world to act responsibly for the protection of the ocean.

The result of this successful partnership is the renowned Ambassadors of the Environment programme at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman that attracts both children and adults in the exploration and education of the Cayman Islands’ marine ecology and conservation practices and ideologies.

“We are all a part of the living world and the oceans that connect us all. Similarly, everything at Dragon Bay is connected to and by Cayman’s waters - which provide us with a wondrous array of adventures and inspire us with their natural beauty,” Mike said.

Because of Dragon Bay’s vital connection to the water, the community will be celebrating World Oceans Day in a number of ways.

Recognised marine biologist Holly Lohuis of the Ocean Futures Society will be visiting The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman as a featured speaker at Afternoon Tea at the Silver Palm Lounge on Saturday, 12th June discussing the world’s oceans and how we can help protect them.

With a degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara, Ms Lohuis has been diving around the world with Jean-Michel Cousteau for more than a decade. A key member of the Ocean Futures Society expedition team, she acts as a liaison between the team and scientists, and is responsible for confirming the factual accuracy of the content of Ocean Futures Society documentaries.

Also a marine educator, Ms Lohuis has taught thousands of children and adults about the wonders and fragility of the aquatic environment and the importance of protecting them for future generations. For her educational outreach efforts, she was honored in 2009 with the Hall of Fame award from the San Juan School district in her hometown of Sacramento, California.

Joining Ms Lohuis as a featured speaker at the Afternoon Tea will be Bradley Johnson of the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment, who will give a presentation on the Grouper Moon Project – dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Grouper and based in Little Cayman.

Ms Lohuis will also lead the Ambassadors of the Environment Adventure Series on Saturday, 12th June from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Catering to children aged four to seven, the programme will focus on preserving the world’s oceans. Top science students from all Government Primary Schools on Grand Cayman have been invited to attend the programme, sponsored by Dragon Bay.

World Oceans Day also highlights the need to make good choices in the seafood that we consume. Today, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, no part of the oceans remains unaffected by human activities. And among the many factors influencing our ocean ecosystems, none has a greater impact than fishing.

From the inception of the project, Dragon Bay joined by the Chefs of the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the Ocean Futures Society have always made every effort to support local fishermen and to make careful choices when buying seafood.

Blue by Chef Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is using its culinary influence as the only 5-Diamond restaurant in the Caribbean to promote the use of sustainable fish by creating a special six-course tasting menu to celebrate World Oceans Day.

Renowned for the innovative use of the freshest seafood in its gourmet dishes, Blue has called upon the talents of Chef de Cuisine Luis Lujan to showcase sustainable fish combined with the inimitable flavours of the Caribbean for the exclusive World Oceans Day tasting menu.

The World Oceans Day menu at Blue follows the Seafood Watch recommendations proposed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and will be featured for the entire week of World Oceans Day from Monday, 7th June through Saturday, 12th June. The ingredients include mainly indigenous fish from Cayman waters as well as local ingredients from sustainable farms on island and in the US.

The specially-designed menu includes Local Wahoo Tartar with Organic Star Fruit, Local Sweet Potato and Orange Vinaigrette; Grilled Hamachi, with Lime Marinated Local Banana and Mint Chimichurri; Pan Seared Scallops, with Willie's Farm Local Pumpkin Salad and Coconut Curry Sauce; Grilled Local Snapper, with Willie's Farm heirloom tomato relish and Ratatouille Broth; Pan Seared Yellowfin Local Tuna with Braised Callaloo, Pickled Ramps, Seasoning Pepper and Soy Glaze; and is rounded out with Coconut-Cilantro Roasted Pineapple, accompanied by Sweet Avocado Puree, Brioche and Coconut Sorbet.

Guests choosing the World Oceans Day menu will also have the option to sample a wine pairing selected by Blue’s Head Sommelier Kristian Netis from biodynamic or sustainable wineries around the world.

In addition to the World Oceans Day observance, the Dragon Bay developer is gradually encouraging homeowners and guests to gradually adopt new “green” behaviors in a commitment to establish ongoing eco-friendly practices. The 360-acre luxury resort community has implemented an aggressive programme eliminating the use of Styrofoam and plastic bottles while also recycling paper and batteries.

“In order to create a culture of conservation, and make a substantial difference, we have to establish involvement from all of our residents and guests alike,” Mike said.

Further activities and programmes are planned throughout the year, encouraging Dragon Bay owners and staff to become a part of this culture of conservation. The ‘Dragon Bay Foundation’ will be established in 2010 to allow local residents, Dragon Bay owners and guests to support projects aimed at maintaining a healthy environment throughout the Cayman Islands. These initiatives are focused on reducing waste, recycling, replanting of mangroves and supporting efforts of other agencies working to protect local wildlife and their natural surroundings.

Mike hopes that by continuing eco-friendly activities, their efforts will encourage change and promote sustainability throughout Dragon Bay and beyond. Plans for the remainder of the year include National Threatened Species Day on September 7th, World Habitat Day in October, National Recycling Week in November and International Volunteers Day in December. For more information on the Dragon Bay community and its steps towards sustainable living, visit www.DragonBayCayman.com

To make reservations at Blue By Eric Ripert for the exclusive World Oceans Day tasting menu, to attend Afternoon Tea on Saturday, 12 June or to book your child’s space in the special World Oceans Day edition of the Ambassadors Adventure Series, please call The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman on 943-9000.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010


The Dragon Bay Owners' Weekend will be held May 28-30, including the Dragon Bay Fishing Tournament and The Dragon Bay Golf Tournament hosted by Mike Ryan, Cayman Islands Developer of The Residences At The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.


Dragon Bay, a 330-acre luxury resort community in Grand Cayman is gearing up for an exciting event filled weekend for The Dragon Bay Owners' Weekend May 28-30.


The weekend kicks off with a cocktail reception Friday, May 28 with wine selections by The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman's sommelier and seafood canapés by Blue. On Saturday, owners will take part in an exciting Dragon Bay Fishing Tournament followed by lunch and awards at Periwinkle and a Champagne tasting at Sunset Terrace, The Residences, Grand Cayman. The weekend is capped off on Sunday, May 30 with the Dragon Bay Golf Tournament at the Greg Norman-designed Blue Tip golf course, followed by cocktails and awards.


Dragon Bay was created by developer Michael Ryan in Grand Cayman as part of the luxury residences that surround The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman. The Dragon Bay Estates are an exclusive enclave of water-oriented custom home sites with British Colonial Design that provide the unique opportunity to create and own some of the few single family estates that are planned within the Dragon Bay community.
The Dragon Bay community also includes residential communities The Deckhouses, Secret Harbour, and The Residences At The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Each luxury community has its own design, features and ambiance for a variety of options to live in luxury while enjoying all the amenities and high standards that the Ritz-Carlton brand is known for.


"One of our long range visions for Dragon Bay as a community is to fulfill the needs and desires of the people who choose to call it their home. The Dragon Bay Owners' Weekend is our opportunity to let everyone celebrate the luxury amenities and the exciting lifestyle that living in the Caribbean affords, while being part of a community," said Mike Ryan, owner and developer, The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

New British Colonial architecture about to make its mark in Cayman


Secret Harbour is Dragon Bay Developer Michael Ryan’s microcosm for his entire Dragon Bay development: communities connected by and with the water. With the first phase breaking ground next month, Business Editor Lindsey Turnbull speaks exclusively with Mike to find out more and reports.

Cayman’s Ritz-Carlton resort is not number one in the region for nothing. Attention to detail, excellence in the quality, service delivery and amenities that guests enjoy set it quite firmly apart, head and shoulders above the competition. These qualities flow through everything in connection with the resort and in particular the brand new Secret Harbour development, set to break ground in June and a labour of love for its developer.

“In the years that the plans for Secret Harbour have been on the table we have gone through seven complete iterations of the plans. Ensuring that the development embraces all the highest qualities that guests have learnt to expect from The Ritz-Carlton, while being mindful of the current market climate have all brought us to the stage where we are at now – ready to break ground on this extraordinary project,” Mike states.

The Secret Harbour project has been two years in the making, with Mike undertaking his 11-month voyage to visit all the greatest coastal communities of the world – from Penang to Singapore to Portofino to Rhodes. This tour brought Mike the inspiration he needed to develop his 360-acre Dragon Bay development, a luxury residential and resort community right here in the Cayman Islands.

Ground was broken last year for The Deckhouses, 19 five-bedroom, five-bath private island estate homes with integrated boathouses and guest cottages, with the first phase of Secret Harbour following suit in just a few weeks.


British Colonial sets the standard
Basing the design element of Secret Harbour around the British Colonial imprint that he was so inspired by on his travels around the world, Mike says Secret Harbour will be a brand new interpretation of that highly successful style of architecture: “The British Colonial style forms the basis for so many great communities, which have adapted the style to suit their own particular location,” he says. “Yet the format and structure of the design still remain true. As a coastal community and a British Overseas territory I felt that Cayman would be the perfect location to develop a contemporary British Colonial style, given its heritage, cosmopolitan population and multi-cultural society."


Important values held true
Striving as always to provide the very best, Mike says the changes in design (which had gone right through to the drawings stage each time) were necessary to ensure the success of the project.

“We took into account the current real estate and general economic climate and decided to be counter-intuitive and buck the trend of trying just to cut costs, quality and service. Instead we decided to concentrate our efforts in providing our owners with what they truly found valuable,” Mike states.

Mike says that a tremendous amount of effort, therefore, went into tightening the plans from every angle to ensure that no part of the design was wasted and owners were provided with real and tangible value for money.

“We have retained in our plans basic architecture that we felt was intrinsic to the design expression, such as 12 foot high ceilings, ten foot high glass window walls and intelligent layout so that the design flows throughout each property,” he says. “Rooftop terraces will give panoramic views of the North Sound. We found this outdoor living, which automatically connects you with the water, a fundamental part of the successful designs from our travels.”

In order to ensure the highest standards of luxury are met, but without added or wasteful costs, Mike says great attention was paid to using space and materials as intelligently as possible.

“We looked at communal spaces such as stairwells to ensure that the space was properly filled; we might decide to put a single sink in the powder room as opposed to a double sink – but that sink will be the finest quality,” Mike says.

The interior for each apartment is designed by the renowned design team of D’Aquino Monaco, whose first foray into design in the Cayman Islands resulted in the award-winning Silver Rain spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Known for the boldness of their work, interior designer Carl D’Aquino and his partner, architect Francine Monaco, have earned international acclaim for the design of exclusive private residences and high-end commercial projects around the world.

Attracted to quality
A testament to Mike’s belief in his latest project is the fact that over 65 per cent of the properties in the first phase at Secret Harbour have already been pre-sold. Work will begin on the series of one, two and three bedroom units as well as the host of top class amenities, such as the harbour itself with a promenade, bridged archway for boats to pass under, Clubhouse with La Prairie spa suites, a movie theater, a café inspired by Eric Ripert, and a business meeting area.

“We understand the lifestyles of our owners. We know that they will enjoy meeting at the café for a morning latté or cappuccino, perhaps conduct a meeting in our business centre or meet up with friends at the movies, and that is why these amenities are our top concern,” Mike confirms. “We want to create a product that has developed with a real sense of what local residents are looking for in their community.”

Units start at US$600,000 up to US$3 million with most in the US$1 million to $1.5 million region. And don’t worry, the luxury penthouse with its sweeping views of the North Sound is still for sale. But you had better hurry.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

SAVE THE DATE! DRAGON BAY OWNERS' WEEKEND

Please join us for the Dragon Bay Owners' Weekend
May 28th - 30th 2010



Friday, 28th May
Cocktail reception featuring wines recommended by The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s sommelier and seafood canapés by Chef Luis Lujan at Blue.


Saturday, 29th May
The Dragon Bay Fishing Tournament followed by lunch and awards at Periwinkle.
Champagne tasting at Sunset Terrace, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.


Sunday, 30th May
Dragon Bay Golf Tournament at the Blue Tip golf course, followed by cocktails and awards.


For more information or to register, please email: ttrumbach@residences-cayman.com


Fishing Tournament - Champagne Tasting - Golf Tournament - Prizes

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Dragon Bay observes Earth Day with coastline clean-up


GRAND CAYMAN – (Thursday, 1 April, 2010) – In observance of Earth Day 2010, Dragon Bay developer Michael Ryan is sponsoring a waterfront clean-up on Dragon Bay’s North Sound coastline to encourage eco-friendly practices throughout the 360-acre luxury resort community.

Scheduled for Saturday, 24 April, the clean-up is open to all Dragon Bay staff and residents, as well as the wider community, and will take place from 8:00am through 11:00am. The first 200 volunteers will receive a commemorative Dragon Bay Earth Day 2010 T-shirt.

The Earth Day observation is part of a larger eco-awareness effort at Dragon Bay, spearheaded by Ryan and intended to incorporate green behaviours throughout the community. “In creating a culture of conservation, if we are to make any kind of difference, we have to get everyone involved and start from day one,” Ryan said.

Dragon Bay homeowners have already been encouraged to adopt new “green” behaviors. During the month of March, owners at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, The DeckHouses, and Secret Harbour were gifted with reusable cloth shopping bags and stainless steel water bottles. By encouraging residents to use these items rather than their disposable counterparts, the community hopes to reduce the number of plastic bags and bottles headed to the George Town landfill. This drive follows the implementation of an aggressive recycling program in Dragon Bay offices.

“We made a policy to eliminate Styrofoam and plastic bottles, recycle paper, and encourage staff to keep correspondence electronic, if possible, to reduce paper waste,” Ryan said. In continuing this green ethos, the ‘Dragon Bay Foundation’ will be established later this year to allow Cayman residents, Dragon Bay owners and guests at Dragon Bay to support projects aimed at maintaining a healthy environment throughout the Cayman Islands.

Dragon Bay will continue its green initiatives in 2010, focusing on reducing waste, recycling, replanting of mangroves and supporting efforts of other agencies working to protect local wildlife and Cayman’s natural environment. A range of activities and programs are planned throughout the year to encourage Dragon Bay owners and staff to become a part of Dragon Bay’s culture of conservation. Plans include Dragon Bay observances of World Ocean Day in June, National Threatened Species Day in September, World Habitat Day in October, National Recycling Week in November and International Volunteers Day in December. Ryan hopes these planned activities will encourage change and promote sustainability throughout Dragon Bay and beyond.

“My travels to many other parts of the world have reinforced what a unique and special place the Cayman Islands is and how we have to actively engage to protect it while creating the economic activity that the people need to sustain themselves and make the right environmental choices,” he said.

For more information or to register for the Dragon Bay Earth Day 2010 Clean-up, e-mail cloxton@residences-cayman.com

Tuesday, March 16, 2010





The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman at Dragon Bay has, from the beginning, been a place where special things happen. I think it comes from something in the land itself that gives flight to the passion and daring of the people involved.


Few are as passionate and daring as Eric Ripert. First he, as a young man, took New York by storm and redefined what could be done with seafood and flavors from around the globe refined through a flawless French palate. Then he came to the Caribbean, a place that stole his heart – along with his Caribbean wife Sandra, to redefine quality and excellence by creating Blue and working with local fisherman and producers to make it the finest restaurant in the region. Once this was completed, Eric continued to look for new and greater ways to share his love of the oceans and their bounty. The annual Cayman Cookout food festival hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has allowed him to share with his friends and the rest of the food world what he has discovered and created in Cayman.


Eric’s generosity of spirit and lack of star chef ego has garnered him an army of friends and supporters, and the festival gave many of them a chance to come together and celebrate food, wine and the beauty of the Cayman Islands.


Acclaimed chefs Anthony Bourdain, Dean Fearing, Gail Simmons of Top Chef, Grant Achatz, Jose Andres, David Chang, Cindy Hutson, Michael Schwartz, Paula DiSilva, Dean James Max and Alex Grunert along with the Food and Wine magazine made the Cookout’s third incarnation proof that, like fine wine, the event does get better each year.


Despite his humble personality, Eric continues to become increasingly well known for his talent and his ability to spread his passion for food. When he and I were discussing the then upcoming Cookout in New York in December 2009, he told me about how well his PBS TV show ‘Avec Eric’ was doing and that the second season was exceeding their highest expectations. I asked him why he was not doing an episode at the Cookout and he said he wanted to but things had gotten bogged down in bureaucracy. It was one of those ideas that was so obviously a great thing to do that we decided together right then and there to make it happen. We ended up with two episodes. The first on the Cayman Cookout and Eric’s fellow chefs and the second on the Cayman Islands and what it was about the country that persuaded Eric to come and work with me to create the greatest restaurant in the Caribbean and to make Cayman his second home.


So with one quick call to the Department of Tourism describing an opportunity to get two TV shows with Eric on PBS with over a million viewers who perfectly match our demographic and which would be picked up in over 90% of the country with a focus on Cayman as the food capital of the Caribbean, we were in business. This meant that along with the hundreds of guests, local media, and international media from Food and Wine, the New York Times and other print and electronic media outlets, we also had a full camera crew on site. It was lots of fun and also a bit surreal.


On the Friday night we were sitting on the beach at sunset having Eric cook some lobster and having a glass of Champagne, watching the sun go down and sharing stories of Eric’s attempts to fish and just behind us were people holding light shields and camera mounts. In the midst of this relaxed scene, we had mikes up our shirts, power packs digging into our lower backs and at the edge of our vision were people holding back crowds on the beach. In the middle of all this, I was reminded that I was sitting only a few feet from where I sat a couple of years before having another glass of Champagne with some of our owners when Kevin Costner, who just happened to be staying on property, popped out to see the sunset with his guitar and decided to join them in a glass, plopped down in the sand and had an impromptu concert (apparently he is not a half bad singer/guitarist) as the sun set and the stars came out.


There is really something about this place…





















Friday, February 5, 2010

Continue Your Journey To Dragon Bay With Voyages

The February 2010 issue of Voyages, the lifestyle magazine of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman at Dragon Bay, is now on-line at http://www.dragonbaycayman.com/

In the February issue of Voyages, readers can...

• Experience the Cayman Cookout 2010 - the Cayman Islands’ only 5-star culinary extravaganza hosted by Chef Eric Ripert.

• Get an insider’s view of the newly announced La Prairie Spa Suites at Secret Harbour

• Learn how Cayman’s coral reefs relate to our lives, with an interview by Dr. Richard Murphy - developer of The Ambassadors of the Environment program.

• Discover the arts in Cayman - from the visual arts of Art@Governors to the performing arts of the Cayman Arts Festival.
We invite all readers to submit their favourite book or photograph to be featured in our “Images of Cayman” section. This month’s cover photo features an exceptional moonlit view over the water from The DeckHouses.



To send us information or to receive the quarterly print edition, Please email us at dragonbay@residencescayman.com

Dragon Bay - a lifestyle so extraordinary that it seems impossible - until it comes true.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Sumptuous Cayman Cookout gives 2010 a gourmet start

The decadent Cayman Cookout culinary festival, complete with top-notch demos, iconic chefs and magnificent beach soirees at the elegant Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, came to a satisfying close on January 18.


Host for the weekend Chef Eric Ripert invited a handful of his closest culinary friends to participate in the cookout, including Chef Jose Andres, Chef Anthony Bourdain, Chef David Chang, Chef Grant Achatz, and Chef Dean Fearing.

Now in its second year, the festival offered guests a full schedule of culinary demonstrations, kitchen competitions, and dinners highlighting both local cooks and international celebrity chefs from January 14 through 18.

From the welcome reception featuring local conch, grilled lobster and certified Angus beef, plus guests like Food & Wine’s Gail Simmons, and wine expert Anthony Giglio through to the final dinner at Ripert’s AAA 5-diamond restaurant Blue, the event was abuzz with both local and visiting foodies.

The lavish culinary fete closed with fanfare on Sunday, January 18 at the Bon Vivant Sunday Moet & Chandon Champagne Brunch Cook-off.

The finale offered a mind-boggling display of decadence from the culinary staff at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, complete with caviar and freshly made blinis right through to sushi and dim sum.




But the food offerings were only a part of the adventure – a live cook-off was staged during the brunch.

The competition, emceed by Gail Simmons of Food & Wine and Bravo’s Top Chef, featured local chefs Jolene Nelson and Charlie Brown bringing their best kitchen skills in hopes of impressing the star panel of judges.

Celebrity chefs Bourdain, Chang, Ripert, and Andres congregated at the judges table to dine on amuse bouche and main courses presented by the competing amateur chefs. The coveted first prize was a trip to New York for Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs 2010 dinner.

With only a two-point difference, and according to Bourdain, much discussion and disagreement, Simmons announced that Chef Nelson had won the competition and the trip to NYC. Chef Brown achieved an impressive consolation prize though - an invitation to dine with Chef Ripert at Blue.




That evening, the weekend came to a final close with a collaborative feast by the visiting chefs. Hosted at Ripert’s Blue, all six of the guest chefs came together, working side-by-side in the kitchen to present a nine-course meal.

Dishes included razor clams with chorizo sauce by Bourdain; local conch, pork belly, and Napa cabbage with kimchi juice by Chang; and shellfish, parsnip, and chamomile by Achatz.

It was an extraordinary dinner to close an extraordinary weekend.
International gastronomes are already looking forward to Cayman Cookout 2011.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Dragon Bay: a new concept for the Cayman Islands

When, after more than a decade of trying, Dragon Bay developer Michael Ryan purchased the 220 acres of the former Safe Haven land in mid-2007 the possibility of his ten-year vision for the area adjacent to his Ritz-Carlton property was finally realized.


GRAND CAYMAN – (January 13, 2010) - When The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman first opened for business in late December 2005, the Cayman Islands awoke to the concept of a five-star resort for the very first time and all the benefits that such a property brings. But The Ritz-Carlton, as impressive and award-winning a property as it is for the jurisdiction, was just part of a much larger development plan.

Dragon Bay evolution

Michael Ryan says, once The Ritz-Carlton was firmly ensconced, the logical next step in the evolution of his Dragon Bay project, a development which covers 360 acres of land and incorporates several separate man-made ‘islands,’ was to expand the vision to include residential areas on a par with or exceeding the standards of excellence already achieved with the resort itself.

Worldwide inspiration
In order to gain inspiration for his new projects Ryan set sail with his family on a 130-foot sailboat, to explore as many wondrous ports of call as he could fit into a year-long voyage, accumulating a vast wealth of knowledge and ideas along the way.

The voyage took Ryan all around the world, from the Mediterranean to Singapore to Indonesia to the Maldives. “I was looking to discover what worked and what did not in the great waterside communities. Dragon Bay’s main feature is the connection that each and every home has with the water. Properly understanding just how communities that are built around water function and adapt to life so close to the sea was extremely important for me to fully embrace and realize the concept here in the Cayman Islands,” Ryan said.

British influence

The relationship and context of the elements of each location was key to the visionary developer. Those that worked had a sense of place, Ryan said, and revealed that he was searching for something that spoke to Cayman’s heritage and that would make sense for the Islands.
He explained, “The British colonial influence is seen all across the tropical belt of the world, areas that are similar to Cayman in climate and heritage. The rules and elements they laid down still makes sense, even in highly developed countries such as Singapore, which still retains its British colonial layout and maintains the sensibility through impressive buildings such as Raffles and the Fullerton Hotel. Seeing how they had successfully worked with many of the same elements present in Cayman it was logical for me to incorporate such timeless and classic influences into the design of the Dragon Bay developments. The idea is to allow for the central core to bring an order and sense of place but still leave room for the many cosmopolitan elements to express themselves.”

Bringing the influences home

Simply picking out the best bits of his travels and sticking them together into one big development wasn’t Ryan’s intention.
Instead, he preferred to understand and appreciate the essence of what made each city, island and community work and emulate elements of the design, efficiency and quality in his own unique developments at Dragon Bay.
“It would have been ridiculous to try to emulate the colour and design of Italy’s coastal villages like Porto Fino , for example, and try and copy them here (they are poured down the side of a hill, after all). However, we can learn from what makes those properties work – the quality of craftsmanship, the light and airy space within the buildings and the concept of properties looking out over a marina, with residents entering via a waterway under a spectacular bridge (as with our Secret Harbour development),” Ryan said.
The concept of water linking the entire development is a binding feature of each new construction at Dragon Bay, yet Ryan has bigger plans, taking it further than simply part of the design of each property.
“When a Dragon Bay owner first arrives into the Cayman Islands they will be greeted at their own Customs and Immigration area at the airport. (Ryan was able to reach an agreement with the previous Cayman Islands Government to build a Dragon Bay arrival terminal and dock). Their transit from the airport will be via private launch across the North Sound directly to their own dock. Water will connect them with their property, the development and the rest of Cayman from the very outset,” he said.

The vision

Out of the several planned ‘islands’, one is completed and two more are under construction.
One island, The DeckHouses, is a collection of 19 individual estate homes set on their own private oasis in the center of The Ritz-Carlton resort.
A good proportion of the DeckHouses have been sold, with the first phase complete and Ryan looks forward to breaking ground on phase two early this year.
On the next island, the Secret Harbour development is gaining momentum, as a result of unique designs and incredible value attracting many oveseas investors and Cayman Islands residents to be a part of the project..
“I don’t have a rigid master vision for each and every island and property within,” Ryan said. “Rather, we are creating the central spine of the project that will give it both its architectural sense and, with The Ritz-Carlton resort, the base for services and amenities unlike any other. From there, with a baseline commitment to the highest quality in vision, design and execution in all elements we want to see the project grow organically through the input of the people who will live here and make it their home.”

The future

A boutique hotel is currently in the planning stages, encompassing unique villas on stilts in the North Sound.
“The North Sound is an excellent location for such a hotel. The water is calm and the breezes will cool the villas which will have amenities such as outdoor showers and private pools,” Ryan says. “This is something that has already been hugely successful in other parts of the globe such as the Maldives, Bali and the Seychelles and we believe Cayman is the rival to any of those locations and this will further expand our market at the very top end.”
Ryan says that the fact that he is committed to undertaking his Dragon Bay development shows that he has every faith that the Cayman Islands will weather the current economic crisis and gain critical mass in the next few years.
“Dragon Bay is a big statement to the people of the Cayman Islands,” he confirmed. “We believe in Cayman’s potential and we continue to work with the government and the private sector to lift this destination above and beyond any of its competitors.”

About Dragon Bay

Stretching sea to sea from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, Dragon Bay and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Resort have set a lavish new standard of living on the Caribbean’s most prosperous, cosmopolitan and safe island – Grand Cayman. Comprising The Residences www.residences-cayman.com , The DeckHouses www.thedeckhouses.com and Secret Harbour www.findsecretharbour.com, all anchored by the hotel itself, Dragon Bay is distinguished by an unparalleled lifestyle experience enhanced with the unique Endless Service program, which includes a fleet of luxury automobiles and intrepid 36-foot motor yachts available for use when in residence. Owners also have access to the legendary service and amenities of the $650 million Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Resort. For more information, visit www.dragonbaycayman.com


About The DeckHouses, Secret Harbour and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Stretching sea to sea from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Resort has set a lavish new standard of living on the Caribbean’s most prosperous, cosmopolitan and safe island – Grand Cayman. Comprising The Residences, The DeckHouses and Secret Harbour, all anchored by the hotel itself, living at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Resort is distinguished by an unparalleled lifestyle experience enhanced with the unique Endless Service program, which includes a fleet of luxury automobiles and intrepid 36-foot motor yachts available for use when in residence. Owners also have access to the legendary service and amenities of the $600 million Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Resort. For more information, visit www.thedeckhouses.com, http://www.findsecretharbour.com/ or http://www.residences-cayman.com/