We stepped on Bahamian soil for a Caribbean evening at its Consulate.

The Embassy of the Bahamas kicked off the new year by celebrating the Spirit of Nassau and Paradise Island with Bahamian culture, food, drinks and music. We snapped Latham & Watkins' Alana Caserta, GE's Sarah Stephens, and Neat and Tidy Spaces' Coumba Peterson.

Guests listened to a live steel drum performance of island music, while sipping  regional beer, wine and of course, rum. Here, real estate broker Michel Daley, Peter Fillat Architects' Helena Hassan, VMA Worldwide's Vaughn Sanders, and Become's Larease Thomas.

Bahamian Counsel General Paulette Zoncile addressed the guests about professional opportunities and encouraged everyone to visit the Bahamas. She is with Embassy Experiences and Things To Do DC's Greg Bland.

Everyone enjoyed the authentic native cuisine of Bahamian rice and peas, curried chicken, conch fritters and fried plantains. For dessert, it was a tasty coconut bread pudding and chocolate rum cake. Here, Navy's Mark Steiner and his wife, Bertha, Fairfax County Schools' Beth Hollander, and Whitney, Bradley & Brown's John Hollander.