Rockhouse Foundation Benefit Dec 28, 2022

On Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 we’re teaming up with our friend, Chef Nyesha Arrington, for a special guest chef dinner on the beach at Skylark Negril Beach Resort in Jamaica. Chef Nyesha has competed on Bravo’s Top Chef and is most recently featured as a recurring judge on Chopped Next Generation and Fox’s Next Level Chef. Nyesha will prepare a three course dinner combining the best of Jamaica’s local ingredients, with inspiration from her vibrant cultural background and California roots.

100% of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Rockhouse Foundation, our charitable arm dedicated to transforming the places where Jamaica’s children learn and supporting the great people who teach them.

Wednesday, December 28 Schedule:

5:00 pm - Cocktails, wine and canapés with the Silver Birds Steel Orchestra at Miss Lily’s at Skylark
6:30 pm - Seated for dinner on the beach at Skylark Negril Beach Resort with Nyesha Arrington, supported by Chef Andre Fowles & Chef Kahari Woolcock
6:45 pm - Welcome presentation from Paul Salmon, chairman of Rockhouse and co-founder of Rockhouse Foundation
7:00 pm - Guest chef Nyesha Arrington introduces the first course and dinner commences

9:00 pm - After party at Miss Lily’s at Skylark with DJ Max Glazer

Chef Profiles

Chef Nyesha Arrington
Chef Nyesha Arrington is a California native born into a multicultural family, she is best known for her accomplishments as a chef and TV personality. Arrington has competed on Season 9 of “Top Chef” and most recently featured as a recurring judge on Chopped Next Generation. Arrington was introduced to diverse culinary experiences at an early age, which has continually shaped her palate development and perspective of culture-informed cooking. A graduate of the Culinary School at the Art Institute of California in Los Angeles, Arrington forged her culinary career at Michelin-starred restaurants under direction from revered chefs including Joël Robuchon and Josiah Citrin. Following her stints in kitchens such as L'Atelier, The Mansion, Spice Mill, Melisse and The Wilshire, Arrington went on to open two proprietary concepts with Venice's beachside haven Leona in 2015 and Santa Monica's Native in 2017, both placed on the late Jonathan Gold’s iconic “101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles" list. Arrington has also been recognized as a Rising Star by James Beard Award-winning critic Brad Johnson from Angeleno, Chef of the Year by Eater LA and a Zagat "30 Under 30" recipient in Los Angeles. Arrington has appeared as a contestant on reality cooking shows such as “Chef Hunter'' on Food Network. Not only was she a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Esquire Network's “Knife Fight;” but Arrington later returned as a guest chef judge on both shows. Current projects include: YouTube series “Plateworthy” on Eater, for which Arrington hosts, a recurring judge on “Chopped Next Gen” with Discovery+, and a featured judge alongside Chef Gordon Ramsay on the new show “Next Level Chef” on FOX. Arrington's greatest enthusiasm will always be to champion her community and create Food that Hugs the Soul.

Chef Andre Fowles
Chef Andre Fowles is a Jamaican native and grew up around delicious food made by his grandmother who thought him the art of “down home” cooking, made with lots of love, local ingredients and delicious flavors. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Andre returned to Jamaica and started working in some of Jamaica’s finest establishments including the award-winning Mac’s Chop House and the world-renown Round Hill Hotel. Andre later worked for four years as Chef de Cuisine at New York City’s popular Jamaican restaurant, Miss Lily’s, where he further developed his take on creating modern concepts of Caribbean flavors. Chef Fowles is a three-time Food Network ‘Chopped’ Champion, he was a finalist on ‘Chopped’ Grand Championship tournament and has appeared as a contestant on ‘Beat Bobby Flay’. Andre continues to work with the Miss Lily’s brand as their culinary director, including at their Jamaican outpost at the Skylark Negril Beach Resort. Chef Andre also continues to grow his hospitality company “Everything Food” based in New York City.

Chef Kahari Woolcock
Born and raised in a farm community just outside of Negril, Kahari Woolcock in 2005 opened Klas Restaurant & Bar in Orange Hill as his first hospitality venture, creating a popular local menu. He went on to work at prominent establishments throughout Jamaica including Rockhouse Hotel, Coral Cliffs Casino as Executive Sous Chef and Spices Negril. Kahari moved to the U.S. to further pursue his culinary career, working alongside Chef Rhy Waddington as Kitchen Manager at Winged Foot Country Club, and as Sous Chef at Forty 1 North in Newport R.I. In 2021 Kahari returned to his roots and joined the team at Miss Lily’s in New York as Chef de Cuisine. In 2022 he moved back to Jamaica to become Executive Chef at Miss Lily’s at the Skylark Negril Beach Resort.

About Rockhouse Foundation
The Rockhouse Foundation is dedicated to transforming the places where Jamaica’s children learn while supporting the great people who teach them, directly impacting the lives of thousands of young people and their families. Since its inception in 2004, the Foundation has invested over $7 million USD to build, expand and renovate six Negril area public schools and the Negril Community Library. All administrative and marketing costs of the foundation are underwritten by Rockhouse Hotel, Skylark Negril Beach Resort, Miss Lily’s and their owners, meaning all donations go directly to the projects and programs. The Rockhouse Foundation directly impacts the lives of thousands of young people and their families in western Jamaica. Learn more at the Rockhouse Foundation website.

We look forward to welcoming you to Negril Beach.