The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

JOHN Watling’s Distillery, in collaboration with Diane Phillips & Associates, is preparing to host up to 1,000 people for a free community gathering at Western Esplanade on November 14, with nearly 400 people already registered for the inaugural event.

The Longest Table is an international community-building initiative that brings people together over a shared meal without formal speeches, fundraising or admission fees.

The event will feature a series of tables along the Western Esplanade waterfront, with designated table captains responsible for coordinating groups of six to eight people.

Organisers said the initiative originated in the Chelsea neighbourhood of New York City following the COVID-19 pandemic, when residents began gathering around outdoor tables to share meals and strengthen community ties.

The concept subsequently spread to other countries, inspiring John Watling’s Distillery managing partner Pepin Argamasilla to introduce the event to Nassau after learning about a similar gathering organised in Miami by a former colleague.

"The main thing is it's all about partnership, and we here at John Watling's believe that we all have one brand," Mr Argamasilla said. "Everybody that lives in this country has one brand and it's called The Bahamas and it's up to all of us to put the best foot forward for The Bahamas."

John Watling’s Distillery expects to provide two complimentary cocktails to each eligible adult who wishes to receive them, while participants may bring additional beverages.

Diane Phillips, founder and president of Diane Phillips & Associates, said the public response had been encouraging, with 80 people registering within the first hour of the announcement and nearly 400 signed up so far.

Ms Phillips said she would be pleased with a turnout of 500, although preparations were being made to accommodate up to 1,000 participants.She explained that table captains would be responsible for arranging food and beverages for their groups, with the option of inviting friends, family members or individuals who registered separately.

"You decide whatever food you would like, the guests at your table to be and then you can invite friends to your table or you can have people who have signed up as individuals, or you can leave space at your table for visitors," she said.

Table captains may also coordinate food contributions from other participants.

Ms Phillips said Baha Mar had registered for 20 spaces and planned to invite hotel guests to participate, allowing visitors to interact with Bahamians.

"It's a great way to make new friends, to reinforce and reaffirm old friendships, to relax around a meal," she said.

Mr Argamasilla said organisers wanted to give the international initiative a distinctly Bahamian character, with students from Blairwood Academy creating a table runner decorated with handprints in the national colours.

"You know, obviously, we want to give the longest table here in the Bahamas its own Bahamian twist. So one of the things that we've done is we've gone to Blairwood Academy for the kids to to create a table runner that they're going to be painting their hands and putting it on the table runner in the Bahamian colors to again you know create something that's uniquely Bahamian," he said.

Mr Argamasilla expressed hope that the gathering would become an annual event in Nassau.

It is expected to bring together Bahamians, residents and tourists.

"And again, you know, we look forward to to Bahamians, residents, and tourists all taking part in this, and and again, hopefully, creating a signature event that could be around for years to come," he said.

Interested individuals can register through the John Watling’s Distillery website as either guests or table captains. Registered participants will receive QR codes.

Ms Phillips said organisers had been in contact with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Port Authority, among other agencies, concerning security arrangements.

The event is scheduled to begin at 5.30pm.

"I'm especially pleased that that this is a way for visitors to interact with locals, to mingle, to enjoy a meal," Ms Phillips said.