GraceKennedy Foods, a division of the GraceKennedy Group, is once again the official food and nutrition sponsor of the 2016 Jamaica Olympic team. Thursday Life readers would recall the similar role played by the group in 2012 at the Olympics in London. At the range once again will be Chef Karl Thomas to provide local dishes once the team touches down in Brazil on July 24.

“Going to the Olympics brings back great memories. This will be my second time as the official chef for the Olympic team, and I’m very honoured and grateful for the opportunity to once again not only represent Grace but to ensure that our athletes enjoy balanced, nutritious meals. I live by the mantra ‘that you only have one opportunity to make a great first impression’, and with that in mind consistency is key when preparing the dishes. I know it’s critical that the dishes are of the highest quality and safe to be consumed. Cooking comes naturally and in the interest of taste, all the dishes will have that authentic Jamaican flavour,” stated Karl Thomas, Grace Chef for the Jamaica Olympic Team.

As official sponsors, GraceKennedy Foods will provide food products and other nutritional support for the Jamaican contingent while the athletes are at their pre-Olympics training camp in Rio. The Jamaican athletes will be housed at the Linx Hotel International Airport Galeão for the duration of their training.

Thursday Life shares a sneak peek at the menu offerings for the athletes.

Breakfast: Grace Canned Ackee & Salt fish served with steamed Grace callaloo, Johnny cakes, boiled bananas and fried ripe plantains.

Lunch: Braised oxtail with Grace Butter Beans served with roast yam and sweet potato salad.

Dinner: Curried chicken infused with Grace Coconut Milk with sides of pumpkin rice, sautéed carrots and cho-cho.