The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival is not only back, but based on the number of sponsors seated around the New Levels Decor summer-chic inspired tasting table inside the Rio Bueno meeting room of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Thursday last — it is considerably bigger! “We had companies coming to us this year and tickets are already sold,” shared CB Foods Brand Manager Alicia Bogues, the dynamic force behind the festival. “We are, “she continued, “determined to put Kingston on the culinary map and are thankful to have the Jamaica Tourist Board as one of our sponsors… our chefs, you will agree after this taste session, are up to the task.” It was no idle boast! With 20 sponsors to impress, the Festival’s coterie of culinary players, notably Gariel Ferguson, Oji Jaja, Jacqui Tyson, Alexx Antaeus, Alexa Von Strolley and Nadine Hoballah-Burie, were ready to throw down!

Gariel Ferguson was the first out of the kitchen and raised the bar so high with his low and slow-smoked Premium Copperwood Pork Ribs with crispy pork belly and powdered bacon that Thursday Life feared for the other presenters. Those fears were soon allayed, however, with Oji Jaja’s cumin shaved duck salad, which was fresh and light in taste, not to mention exquisitely plated.

Never one to cower in the shadows, Jacqui Tyson demonstrated her prowess with her handling of the fried pork chops stuffed with smoked gouda and bacon with a jalapeno and Scotch bonnet relish. The result: warm caressing pops of distinctive flavours.

Chef/patron Alex Antaeus presented fresh, grilled-just-right octopus on a stick that disappeared within a second and a flavourful Greek pizza presented on a stick. Alexa Von Strolley amped things up with two tasty sandwiches — Arepa de Pabellon with achiote shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains, rice, fried egg and chimichurri with shredded curried chicken, ghost pepper, avocado crema coleslaw and tomatoes.

This outstanding sneak taste climaxed with sweet treats courtesy of the 2015/2016 Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards pastry chef of the year Nadine Hoballah-Burie, whose spicy chocolate mousse and raspberry mousse with lychee-infused rose water left little doubt as to her forte of executing decadence with a light hand and balancing flavours.

With the inclusion of two new categories this year notably Vintage — a celebration of Robert Mondavi Winery’s 50th anniversary — and Picante, the five-day, eight-event, delectable culinary adventure slated for Wednesday, October 26 – Sunday, October 30 is a must-do.

Of note is that the Rousseau sisters, Suzanne and Michelle, will once again host Brunch at The Gallery on Sunday, October 30. Be warned: Only a few tickets are left. Get yours today

@www.jafoodanddrink.com