Festival of Foods

by Marsha Muir

Tomorrow, dozens of young and aspiring chefs will converge on the St Mary's Sports Club in Annotto Bay, as the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) kicks off its 2010 Regional Festival of Foods.

According to JCDC's culinary arts specialist, Pamella Powell, "The Festival of Foods is also designed to unearth culinary creativity and innovation." She added, "Through the festival, we also support the use of locally grown and manufactured products."

A new addition to this year's staging will be the inclusion of two mini-concerts featuring reggae artistes G-Whiz, Bescenta and Khago, as well as other local acts. Other attractions include food displays, celebrity cook-offs and the exciting mystery basket competition.

Sponsors include: The Gleaner Company, Excelsior, Grace Earth Chef, National Bakery, Claro, Irie FM, Zip 103FM, Links FM, Power 106, TVJ and Ting.

After St Mary, the festival moves to Kirkvine Sports Club in Manchester on May 14, Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Westmoreland on May 20 and the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew on May 28.

The competition has taken its current format since 2004, with competitors being exposed to innovative and creative methods of food preparation. One such method is the solar drying method (a process pioneered through the festival). The process is now used by many in the preparation of snacks and sweets. Today's popular callaloo patty, came out of the festival in the '70s entered by Olga Turner. Over 38 varieties of wines have been unearthed and some have been showcased in the Jamaica Pegasus' annual Wine & Food Festival.

The festival has also offered home economics students to alternative career path. Former Grange Hill high school teacher Jane Jerry, known for her banana drink and ackee and stinking toe ice cream, received a scholarship through the festival to pursue her bachelors in culinary arts at Delphi State University in New York.

Some popular chefs who have entered the competition in the past include Karl Hart of Pantry Caterers, Louis Bailey, former Air Jamaica Flying Chef and Anil Sud of Passage to India.

Starapple cheesecake