Celebrity chefs have always flocked to the Jamaica Observer Food Awards and this year’s no different… Marco Pierre White’s our man, and ahead of his grand throw-down, come Thursday May 27 on the East Lawns of Devon House, SO checks out some celebs and what they love to eat!

Alicia Keys: Saltfish Fritters.

This New York-centric songstress makes no secret about enjoying some downtime in Jamaica when she gets the chance. One of her favourite indulgences when she’s here (and chilling at the Half Moon resort in MoBay): saltfish fritters!

Angelina Jolie-Pitt: McDonald’s

This sexy siren has one of the best bodies in Hollywood. It’s for that reason you’d never know this statuesque glamazon loves to chow down on fast food from McDonald’s both at home with the brood and on set between takes.

Barack Obama: Chilli

The most powerful man in America is used to lavish dinners thrown in his honour the world over, but sources close to the leader of the free world (ie Mrs O) has revealed he has a guilty pleasure like the rest of us… his favourite dish — chilli.

Beyoncé – Fried seafood

The self-proclaimed diva isn’t afraid to say she feels uncomfortable being skinny, describing herself as a “cotton bud” when she had to slim down for the role of Deena Jones in 2006’s Dreamgirls. So how does this buxom songbird keep her healthy curves alive? By indulging in her faves like fried fish and fried shrimp.

Brad Pitt: Pizza

Like his wife, Brad Pitt is completely immodest about his love for junk food, particularly pizza. Earlier this month, the global megastar phoned for a husband-and-wife team to bake up a batch of home-made pizzas for himself and some guests. The pizza aficionado was so impressed, he reportedly tipped the couple a generous ¤2,000.

Britney Spears: Cookie dough

Think of Britney Spears, and images of an exposed ‘whohaa’ and barely-there outfits while on stage may come to mind. But some of us can still remember her as that innocent little girl wearing her mouseketeer hat. Indeed, some of her food favourites would suggest she’s still that little girl inside. The head-shaving mother of two is a big fan of cookie dough.

George Clooney: Chaya Steak

This perennially cool star is what Hollywood mojo is all about. The impeccable manners he exudes on-camera seem to permeate his personal life as well. It’s reported that The Clooney likes to avail himself of steaks, specifically from hot Beverly Hills eatery Chaya Brasserie, pairing them with a glass of wine or a cool beer. Smooth.

Gwen Stefani: Sushi

She’s into health food and has admitted to being an organic-food lover. But the former No Doubt singer has a special love for sushi.

Gwyneth Paltrow: Pasta

Mother-of-two Gwyneth Paltrow is a self-professed foodie, cooking most nights a week wherever she happens to be and even starting a newsletter devoted to food called GOOP. Her favourite food to cook (and eat) is pasta, and the Shakespeare In Love star says she has a special hand for the very delectable spaghetti alle vongole.

Jennifer Aniston: Mexican food

Jennifer Aniston served it up as a waitress for three seasons on the hit NCB series Friends. In real life, though, the Break-Up star prefers to go out to eat at restaurants, especially if she gets to indulge in her favourite food — Mexican.

Oprah: Margaux’s Curried Chicken Sandwich

Oprah knows good things. The Queen of Media has made a career of discerning the pick-of-the-litter when it comes to a variety of consumer goods — be they books, gadgets or even clothes. In 2004, Oprah revealed that one of her favourite foods was . . . a sandwich! A very good one at that — the sweetness of the honey-mustard, the zest of the lemon pepper and the spice of the curry makes this one of the most exciting sandwiches you’ll ever taste.

Rihanna: West Indian Food

The sweet Bajan songstress has travelled all over the world on tour. But when she gets the chance, the Umbrella singer loves to get a taste of home at an available West Indian eatery. When in London, it’s reported she likes to visit the pointedly titled Ochi Caribbean, where her favourite order is the “curry chicken and plain rice”.

Tom Cruise: Italian Food

Tom Cruise is an Italian Food Junkie. So much so that, reportedly, the Mission Impossible star has his favourite chef from Italy flown in during special occasions to whip up a meal for himself and guests.

Kitchen Rock

The Rock doesn’t have as many stars or restaurants as Tinsel Town, but when it comes to chowing down on some good grub, our celebs are on top of things. SO asks your favourite dancehall darlings to ‘dish’ the meals they love!

Alaine: Roast Corn

Birds love grain, so it’s perhaps no surprise that this local songbird loves roast corn. “Yes, the one they sell right by Heroes Circle…biting into that gives me lots of happy thoughts.”

Assassin: Sweet Potato Pudding

Assassin is lethal with a microphone, but he’s just as deadly when it comes to downing some sweet potato pudding.

Ce’Cile: Sushi

Travelling the world and eating in haute restaurants hasn’t made dancehall siren Ce’Cile lose the taste of good ol’ rice and peas, but she managed to develop a healthy craving for sushi.

D’Angel: Curried Shrimp in Coconut Sauce

Everyone knows Beenie decided to make D’Angel an honest woman after tasting her steam fish…at least that’s what he said! Cooking happens to be a favourite pastime of hers, and preparing Curried Shrimp in Coconut Sauce is what she does best!

Konshens: Ackee & Saltfish

Winner singer Konshens is keeping it patriotic – his favourite food is ackee and saltfish.

Tami Chynn: Chicken Tika Massala/Wayne Marshall: Steamed Fish

Dancehall newly-weds Tami Chynn and Wayne Marshall are self-professed foodies. The Mrs loves Chicken Tika Massala, while ‘Mr Chu’ enjoys a good steamed fish.

Tifa: Lasagna

Spell It Out singer Tifa feels she was perhaps an Italian Opera singer in a former life (could that have been the genesis of Certified Diva?) because of her love for pasta. But of all the types, she’s crazy about lasagna. “I love it topped with lots of cheese,” she shares, “it affects my sinus, but I really don’t care.”