MONTEGO BAY, St James — WITH 13 medals under their belt secured from their historic wins at the international Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition, Jamaica’s chefs and bartenders are again sharpening their knives for the staging of the national culinary competition, the Best Dressed Chicken Taste of Jamaica at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from October 11 to 13.

Jamaica boasts the top chef in the Caribbean, and after this year’s staging of the third annual event, the country will know who will be the representative to do battle to maintain the title currently being held by chef de cuisine, Brian Lumley. The other members of Team Jamaica will also be determined at this marquee event.

The 2013 staging of the Best Dressed Chicken Taste of Jamaica Culinary Competition was launched recently at The Shoppes of Rose Hall in Montego Bay to heightened expectations from patrons and sponsors alike, with announcement of new offerings seasoned with old favourites, while presenting something for every palate.

According to Chairman of the Culinary Federation of Jamaica (CFJ), Dennis McIntosh, several changes are being made to enrich this culinary mainstay on Jamaica’s social calendar, including its now three days staging, instead of the usual two. The first day will be one of Seminars on ‘Cuts of Meat,’ ‘Cheese’, Spirit Presentation’ and ‘How to fillet Fish’. These seminars are catering to patrons, including culinary arts students. Select companies, including Appleton Estate, Home Chef Seasoning, Arose Trading and Alouette will also be making presentations.

World-renowned ice sculptor, David Faber is down to travel to the island to display his skills at a seminar on ice carving.

Days two and three of the event will be dedicated to the chefs and bartenders cooking and mixing up a storm in competitions and tastings by patrons, before the official presentation ceremony to close out the experience for this year.

At the culinary competition, Jamaica’s chefs and bartenders will be competing in 18 categories, including ‘Bartender of the Year’, ‘Junior Pastry Chef of the Year’, ‘Chocolate Competition’, ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’, ‘Beef Competition’, ‘Fruit and Vegetable Competition’, ‘Wedding and Celebration Cake Competition’ and the ‘Tertiary and Vocational Team Competition’. There is also the ‘Traditional Punch Competition’ which is there to test the mettle of those persons with a flair for “mix-up and blending.”

For the first time, the Best Dressed Chicken Taste of Jamaica Culinary Competition will be free to the public, with patrons having the opportunity to sample delicious foods and drinks, while having access to the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Expo 2013 with which the CFJ has joined forces.