ONE of the Island鈥檚 much-loved beach caf茅s is to close its doors this weekend after nine years of serving food, drinks and good times to locals and visitors.
Kismet Cabana is hosting a Farewell to Ouaisn茅 Fiesta for its customers this Saturday, from 3pm to 11pm.
However, owner and founder Chris Lister has hinted that there may be a new chapter for Kismet as he hopes to take the private catering side of the business to 鈥渢he next level鈥.
Speaking to the JEP, he said the business was looking to set up a front-of-house shop somewhere else in the Island to showcase its catering.
He said: 鈥淲e aim to showcase what 色人阁 has and what we do best in produce, from different farms around the Island, and then using that to put together delicious local dishes.鈥
Mr Lister said he decided to found the beachside kitchen in 2015 because he wanted a 鈥渘ew challenge鈥.
After travelling around the globe to far-flung locations such as New Zealand and Australia, he held chef roles at The Salty Dog, El Tico, and other well-known Island eateries, but decided it was time to try something new.
鈥淢y career has always been about challenging myself, and now it鈥檚 come to another stage in my life where I need a new challenge. It is a big decision and may be a huge risk, but sometimes being comfortable isn鈥檛 the be-all and end-all.
鈥淭his should also give me more time to spend with my family, rather than working Sundays.鈥
Mr Lister said that the lease on the Ouaisn茅 site had come to an end and he had decided not to renew it.
There were other reasons behind his decision to close the caf茅, but Mr Lister did not want to talk about them.
鈥淭here will still be a caf茅 down there, someone will take it over, but it won鈥檛 be Kismet Cabana,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ecause that鈥檚 just the direction we鈥檝e decided to take the business.鈥
The highlight of his nine years at Ouaisn茅 has been the people, he added.
鈥淭here are several locals who have played a huge part in Kismet, whether it鈥檚 helping with the building or repairs, or fixing a hole in the roof.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great down here and we鈥檒l miss it. We know most of the people walking with their dogs by name. The sense of community that Ouaisn茅 has and the people it attracts, it鈥檚 a beautiful place. It will always be my favourite place.鈥
He said that he was looking forward to Saturday鈥檚 event: 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be great to see everyone who鈥檚 been a part of Kismet, and to have a final farewell. We鈥檒l have paella and we鈥檒l talk about the good times.鈥
As well as the famous Kismet paella, there will be live music from Nic Dinnie and Rick Jones, plus a Modok Silent Disco.
The event description said: 鈥淎fter nine incredible years of cooking up fresh flavours, creating unforgettable vibes, and refining our craft, it鈥檚 time to raise a glass to our next chapter. But not before one last epic party! We鈥檝e also got a few surprises up our sleeves, because what鈥檚 a Kismet event without a twist?
鈥淭his is our chance to honour the journey, the tribe, and the community that鈥檚 made Kismet Cabana what it is so far. Let鈥檚 celebrate the memories we鈥檝e created, the magic we鈥檝e shared, and raise a toast to the exciting adventures that lie ahead.鈥
