Vijay preparing dumplings at the Fortress dinner party.

Vijay, who has been aboard Sequel for the past 8 months, works for Fortress Woodworking.  Besides having the reputation of being one of the best woodworking companies in Trinidad, they are also known for their dinner parties.  It is always a special treat to be invited to one.

Randolph is hard at work preparing curry dishes.

The dinner is prepared in the wood shop, which is cleared of all the tools and wood projects.  Instead, the tables are covered with portable burners and cookpots.  Everyone gets into the action  We're invited to join in the preparation, too. 

Randolph, the foreman for the work crews, is quite a chef.  He really gets into cooking the spicy curries.  Our eyes are burning as he starts the curry, but he seems to be immune to it.  He slaves over the hot pots and produces some of the best curry we've eaten in Trinidad!

No dinner at Fortress is complete without Nada, who runs the office.   She's delight to talk with  and manages to keep all these guys in line even though she is half their size.  She is pictured here with Neville, the owner of Fortress. 

Neville and Nada enjoy the festivities.

Tonight's dinner was no exception to the good times and good food we always enjoy..  There were spicy cucumber appetizers,  Dahl (a spicy pea soup), dumplings,  and lots of curries.  

In addition, tonight's dinner had Chicken Sousse.   Now I'm not sure of the spelling of this dish, but there is no mistaking the contents.  Allen is more daring than I am -- he ate it and reports it is fantastic.   I couldn't get beyond the primary ingredient -- chicken FEET.

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