SUNRISE – Local celebrities, professional chefs and amateurs will fire up their grills and compete for cash, prizes and bragging rights at The Publix Jerk Cook Off, one of the many activities scheduled to takes place at the 7th annual Jamaican Jerk Festival, presented by Air Jamaica and Publix, on Sunday, November 9 at Markham Park in Sunrise.
Adding excitement and thrill to the contest will be a new segment of the cook off, The Celebrity Challenge, where local radio and television personalities will be given surprise ingredients to prepare a jerk dish in 30 minutes. Neki Mohan and Calvin Hughes of WPLG Channel 10 News and NBC 6’s Sharon Lawson will battle Rodney Baltimore and Traci Cloyd of Hot 105 in what promises to be an action-packed challenge. Chef Irie Spice will play host and moderator as these celebrities battle for supremacy on the grill.
Following the battle of the Celebrities, last year’s Jerk Cook Off champion, Dr. Sharon Jefferson returns to defend her title against a competitive field, which includes last year’s runner up Cartuis Scully; the Jerk Festival champion of Jamaica and third place finisher Ricky Ginsburg of the Boca Boys.
Contestants will be awarded points on presentation, chef’s appearance, neatness of work area, taste, texture and tenderness of their food, and the “want more factor”, as they concoct an array of drooling jerk recipes, imbuing the festival air with a collage of aromatic herbs and spices, guaranteed to tease your taste buds. To the victor go the spoils, $1500 in cash and the prestigious Dutch Pot trophy, runners up and third place finishers will be awarded $500 and $250 respectively.
Another new feature to the festival this year will be the Grace Kitchen, where Grace Cooking Expert, Mazie Miller will be showcasing the use of the brands products in creating several tasteful jerk recipes. Chef Nigel Spence, winner of Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” will conduct demonstrations on fine jerk cuisine and reggae personalities, Tanto Metro and Devonte will show that they are not only good on the stage, but also in the kitchen as they demonstrate their culinary skills.
In addition to the culinary contests and demonstrations, culture and couture will also take the spotlight throughout the day on two stages. The JN Money Transfer cultural stage will showcase the winners of the Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant, re-enacting their cultural presentations that helped to secure their respective titles. Cooyah clothing, internationally renowned for their Reggae and Roots driven ethos, will make their Jamaica Jerk Fest debut with a fashion show of their own, flaunting their distinctive brand.
The Grace/Western Union cultural stage will feature a special tribute to the Honourable Mrs. Louise Bennett – Coverly, celebrating the life and times of the late icon with “Ring Ding” games which will involve audience participation. Also performing will be the Jamaica Folk Revue, who will undoubtedly evoke memories of yesteryear with classic folk songs and homespun poetry along with the Tallawah Mento band. Kulture Klothes of Miami will introduce “Accents of Africa”, fashions in a show displaying majestic pieces of Afro-centric prints on European designs. Comedian Chris “Johnny” Daley of “Lime Tree Lane” fame will add humor to this varied cultural presentation.
A wide array of entertainment is slated for an entire day of fun at the annual Jamaican Jerk Festival. There will be netball, soccer and cricket matches for sports enthusiasts, Western Union Domino Tournament and musical performances from the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Antiguan Reggae Ambassador Causion, the award winning Chalice and more. Popular local DJs Hardcore Movement will be spinning the latest tunes to keep patrons rocking as they engross themselves in the flavor and spice of Jamaican Jerk.
The Jamaican Jerk Festival is sponsored by County Line Chiropractic Centers, JN Money Transfer, Grace Foods, Western Union, Ting, Red Stripe Beer, Guinness, WAVS, Hot105, 99Jamz and National Weekly.
