After a soft introduction of their lamb ham a year ago through sampling, VIP Meats officially launched the product last Thursday, with plans to make the meat a viable option for consumers this Christmas season.

Speaking with Thursday Food at the Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock Sector through the Production of Small Ruminants seminar last week at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Donnie Bunting — who operates the VIP Meats entity along with partners Don Kelly, Richard Peters and Paul Robertson — said: "We plan to go all out this season with the lamb ham."

"We believe that our meats rank right up there with the best and promise tenderness with every purchase. That is what VIP Meats have been bringing to the table and will continue to do so this Christmas," Bunting added.

The seminar which was geared at the development of small ruminants (sheep and goats) in the region, was in line with the VIP Meats philosophy of procuring top quality breeding stock for their consumers locally and in the Caribbean.

With their years of experience, Bunting and his VIP Meats partners have long understood that many Jamaicans do not enjoy aged meats. "This is why we do not serve our consumers sheep, only lamb, and that is why we are able to guarantee the tenderness of our lamb ham," he explained.

The VIP Meats lamb ham is cured and smoked at the company's Longville Park Farm in Clarendon and provides a tasty option for foodies who do not eat ham. "The truth is, everybody can enjoy the lamb ham," Bunting told Thursday food. "Whether you eat ham or not, the lamb ham will provide a tasty treat."

To have the lamb ham as part of your delectable table offerings this Christmas, call (876) 340-6969, 276-9572 or 430-1489 for orders as the product is not yet in the supermarkets.