Evrol 'Blackie' Christian, head cook and bottle washer of Little Ochie Seafood and Bar, jubilantly strode away with the 2009 National Commercial Bank Nation Builder Award on Tuesday.

Looking dapper in white jacket, Blackie hoisted the award to great applause. Apart from providing some of the tastiest meals this side of culinary heaven, Little Ochie has been a rock in its home community of Alligator Pond and surrounding areas.

The Nation Builder Awards (NBA) programme recognises and celebrates small and medium-sized (SME) business customers. Other winners were: Indies Pharma (the NCB Innovation Award); Kool Runnings Water Park (the NCB Start Up Award) and Totally Male (the NCB Women in Business Award). The award is in its second year.

A higher level

It all went down at a ritzy banquet at the Hilton Kingston Jamaica hotel. NCB executives from across the island came looking their chic best, as they mixed and mingled with SME customers. The musical quartet that entertained had guests rocking, snapping fingers and head-bopping with their repertoire. Their performance went to a higher level whenever the soul-abundant Diamara Neil took the microphone. Her temperature-rising Fever and strong-willed Natural Woman rocked the ballroom.

Guests out included: Dennis Cohen, Winston Lawson, Nicole Walker, Chris Williams, Natalie Peterson, Anna-Kim Robinson, Misha Haye, Andrew Issa, Howard and Karin Cooper, Harold Davis, Becky Stockhausen, Oral McCook, Chris and Kimberly Issa, Rodney Miller, Chris and Michelle Bovell and Sandy Jones.

Group Managing Director of National Commercial Bank (NCB) Patrick Hylton (left) presents Evrol 'Blackie' Christian with the NCB Nation Builder Award at the bank's award ceremony held at the Hilton Kingston hotel in New Kingston Tuesday night.

Ena Wong-Sam (left) and Luciana Gordon-Smith oblige with charming smiles.

Spanish Court Hotel's General Manager, Lee-Ann Godfery, and Chris Porter at the National Commercial Bank's Nation Builder Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Kingston Jamaica hotel on Tuesday.

Powerhouses Bernadette Barrow (left), assistant general manager, Small and Medium Enterprises, National Commercial Bank Retail Banking division, and Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte at the National Commercial Bank Nation Builder Awards Ceremony.

Beauties in black, Kimberly Mais-Issa, (left) and Bridgette Rhoden, pose for the camera.