A taste of ‘De real ting’

The Jamaican Jerk Festival, featuring original jerk demonstrations by experts from the world famous Boston Beach in Portland, goes to South Florida on September 1 at C B Smith Park in Pembroke Pines.

Among the family of jerk will be pork, chicken, fish, corn on the cob, served with rice and peas and ‘washed down’ with Red Stripe Beer.

There will also be jerk cook-off contests between South Florida celebrities and restaurants along with “Best Jerk” contests, and a jerk porkeating contest, the winner being the person who can eat a pound of hot spicy jerk pork the fastest.

In addition, JRS Tours will be hosting a domino contest at the festival and the winner gets a trip to Jamaica to participate in the World Championship of Dominoes set for October in Ocho Rios. Other attractions will be live entertainment featuring reggae, calypso and mento bands, a children’s fun zone, booths with art, craft and other novelties guaranteeing fun for the entire family.

Weekend ‘Epicurean Escape’

SuperClubs Grand Lido Negril Resort’s third annual weekend ‘Epicurean Escape’ gourmet food festival is set for August 30 to September 1.

Three internationally-acclaimed chefs and a pastry chef from across the United States will vie against the cream of the SuperClubs local gustatory talent, in a three-day contest of the food preparation and display, wine tasting and butler service.

A showcase of different Jamaican coffees and coffee liqueurs will be among the highlights of the weekend extravaganza, and guests will be able to sample the myriad variety of delicacies. Competing chefs will personally present each of their culinary innovations, at a formal dinner.

October “Jerkfest”

Hedonism III prepares to turn up the heat with “JerkFest 2002” scheduled for October 3 to 6. The event dubbed “Hedonism III JerkFest 2002,” will feature saucy events, soulful sounds and hot Jamaican cooking.

There’ll be colourful variety of traditional Jamaican culinary delights whetting the palate with Jamaican favourites like hot potato pone, coconut-filled gizzardos, a variety of foods — fricassee, escovitche, curry and the all-time favourite Jerk. Guest will discover the secrets of jerk seasoning with special lunch and dinner menus unveiled throughout the event.

The event will also entertain with talented artistes, dancers and musicians. Revellers will be invited to reacquaint themselves with distinctively Jamaican dance steps and the lively melodic sounds of Mento, Ska, Folk and Reggae. Jamaican artisans will display wares crafted from indigenous materials. Palm and tea-leaf readers will provide guests with their uncanny and perhaps even spicy insights.