As we ready to celebrate two decades of excellence in food service, delivery and presentation, we are stepping out bolder and starting our countdown this year by encouraging all to take a long, hard look at our culinary landscape — how far we have come, and, naturally, the possibilities.

Our initial focus has been on our chefs, the master architects of our island’s intoxicating flavours, who are charged to introduce our island fare to us and visitors to our shores.

The Caribbean, with its fresh fruits and natural organic soil, is still not an in-demand destination for food. Why? Because we have not given it our all… Let’s do so now as we declare Jamaica the epicentre of food and generate a global buzz while we eat our way around our beloved country. Giving it our all means identifying a minimum of one restaurant each week and lending financial support. The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards committee leads by example, so from our Parish Gems to Stirring The Pot we ask you to join us, or start your own tour. Share your findings with us and, when we meet on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Formal Gardens of Devon House, let us all compare notes with the scores of the judges.

The 2017 Stirring The Pot Tour, which is sponsored by Serge Island and iCool, kicked off last week Thursday, March 23 at Toll Gate, Clarendon at Murray’s Fish and Jerk Hut…

The family-owned 16-year-old casual dining establishment is run by Joan, Brandon, Courtney and Nicole Murray. Indeed, the family is a Jamaica Observer Business Leader

alum nominated in 2009 as one of the noteworthy families in business. What many might not know is that the business started as a fish farm promoting tilapia. As the demand for the fish grew it necessitated seats and tables to enjoy the fare… the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, it’s less about tilapia — although the steamed fish is still a winner — but more about the jerk pork, chicken, rabbit and sausage. And, as many of the judges discovered, the aroma-rich Indian curried goat complete with roti skin, which is worth a daily visit! Yes, it is that good.

Lunch commenced with steaming cups of fish tea and mannish water prior to tucking into literally every item on the menu.

The jerked rabbit, seasoned to perfection and further enhanced with the bold flavours of the pickled vegetables, was equally tasty.

The heavy afternoon downpour encouraged more eating, drinking and camraderie amongst the judges and our gracious hosts Courtney and his beautiful wife Nicole. The customers, some new, but more regulars were equally gracious. It was hard to leave, but not before ordering a few tightly wrapped foil packages of jerked everything, ostensibly for the journey home. Thursday Food can share exclusively that Murray’s curried goat will soon be in Kingston.

MURRAY’S FISH AND JERK HUT

Toll Gate, Clarendon

Open every day — Sunday to Sunday

from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

Choose inside or al fresco dining