FOR the first time since its inception in 1979, the country’s longest-running talent contest, will be taking a break.

Customarily, the 34-year-old Tastee Talent Trail, would begin late March or by the end of May each year.

When contacted, long-standing communications manager for the competition, Howard McGowan, confirmed that the contest will be off this year due to a restructuring process.

“The contest is on a break this year as it is being restructured to reposition it in the marketplace,” was all McGowan was prepared to say.

The Tastee Talent Trail, the brainchild of the late bandleader Sonny Bradshaw, that was endorsed, adopted and branded by the leading patty manufacturer and retailer in the island, has been responsible for starting the career of a plethora of local entertainers. Among them Beenie Man, Yellowman, Nadine Sutherland, Mr Vegas, T.O.K, Voicemail, Chevaughn Clayton, and trumpeter Dwight Richards.

Tastee has been sole sponsor of the competition until Pepsi came on board in 2007.

— Basil Walters