Celebrity cooking at JCDC regional Festival of Foods

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has announced that this year's annual Eastern Regional Festival of Foods Competition, which captures Jamaica's rich culinary legacy, will take place tomorrow at the Chinese Benevolent Association, Old Hope Road, St Andrew .

Staged against a backdrop of several food booths with different offerings, the aroma of jerk and potato pudding hot from the pan will send mouth-watering sensations to eager patrons waiting to satisfy their palates.

According to Dr Pamella Powell, special projects coordinator at the JCDC, hundreds of aspiring medalists will arrive at the venue with pre-prepared dishes, hoping to grasp the opportunity of rising to stardom.

economical ways

"Judges adorned in white jackets will parade through the displays ensuring that the categories are carefully identified. The judging revolves around four main categories namely: main dish, batters and doughs, desserts and preserves, and condiments," noted Powell.

"Over the years," she continued, "we have discovered over 40 home-made wines as potent and tasty as any imported brand. This recession requires more economical ways of preparing our food items and, at the Festival of Foods, we will feature dishes guaranteed to serve 10 people for under $600."

The live competitions are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with the mystery basket, napkin folding, table setting, sandwich making and the highly anticipated celebrity cooking, as major attractions. The regional Festival of Foods will end at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Friday, May 27.