Foodies journeyed to Kingston Polo Club at Caymanas Estates for Jamaica’s first gourmet spicy food fest, on Saturday, October 29, night five of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival. Traditional spices like the pimento, thyme, and nutmeg were incorporated in dishes to add pungency, with Scotch bonnet pepper the most dominant on the palate.

CB Group internationally acclaimed Guest Chef Brad Kilgore heightened the experience with his Szechuan jerk pork tenderloin lathered with Thai peanut emulsion, a local pumpkin purée and Scotch bonnet butter.

Picante was the perfect match for Miss T’s Kitchen chef/patron Anna-Kay Tomlinson, winner of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards for Best (Place for) Oxtail — that ‘toops’ of succulent melt-off-the-bone oxtail, however, was simply not enough. Award-winning caterer Alexa Von Strolley, Tooksie Kay Catering principal, opted for Venezuelan favourites, like the Arepa de Parabellón, and Arepa la Cantina, both rice-and-shredded-meat-based sandwiches.

Sweet treats courtesy of pâtissier Nadine Hoballah Burie and pastry chef Dawn Mitchell featured an array of mouth-watering treats including picante pecan praline cheesecakes — try saying that three times fast — and spicy chocolate mousse.

Thursday Lifeadds a little spice to your table.

Thursday Life

adds a little spice to your table.