Since its inception 12 years ago,the formerly known as the CB Pan Chicken Championship has been a part of the Jamaican landscape, and entertainment has played a major role in its offering.

This year’s staging of the event, PAN2017, will be no different. Gospel singer Kevin Downswell is among the early acts already confirmed to perform.

“Kevin Downswell brought the house down at Regional 1 in St Elizabeth last year and the people of Black River have signalled they want him to return. Other main-stream artistes are to be confirmed, and once everything is finalised, we’ll be sure to let everyone know,” said CB Foods Regional Development Manager Alicia Bogues.

“PAN is always a fun-filled day, jammed with great entertainment. We work hard to ensure our stage acts appeal to a wide cross-section of our audience. The artistes who we work with always deliver with electrifying sets, and know how to engage our audiences,” said Kemoi Burke, events & promotion coordinator at CB Foods.

The diverse entertainment package also includes giveaways, eating and dance competitions, plus comedy.

Back for its second year is the Monster Milk Kiddies Village, which promises to offer even more rides and fun, a hit for both children and the young at heart.

Regional 1 is scheduled for Saturday, August 26 at Independence Park, Black River in St Elizabeth, Jamaica’s bread basket. Competitors from the parishes of St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St James, Westmoreland and Hanover will battle in their quest to advance to the grand final of PAN 2017.

“PAN is first about the men and women behind the pans as CB continues its quest to help build Jamaica. We are excited to head back to Black River on August 26,” said Burke.

On Saturday, September 30, Regional 2 moves to Folly Oval, Portland, often considered the “home and birthplace of jerk”. Here, the event will host competitors from the parishes of Portland, St Thomas, St Mary, St Catherine, Kingston & St Andrew, St Ann, and Trelawny.

The Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre is once again the venue for the grand finale of PAN 2017, which takes place on Sunday, October 29.

Five entrants from each parish will compete in a live, 60-minute cook-off at the regional level. A winner and runner-up (1st and 2nd place) are chosen from each parish to advance to the grand final. Parish winners receive $40,000 in cash and gifts from sponsors, while runners-up receive $20,000 among other prizes.

Prizes for PAN 2017 grand finals are as follows:

Champion Prize (1st place) $300,000 cash and one-year supply of CB Chicken courtesy of CB Foods; $100,000 cash and one-year supply of bread from National Baking Company; a business development grant from JN Small Business Loans and Money Services; one-year supply of Miracle Ketchup; in addition to numerous prizes from other partners.

Second Prize: $150,000 cash and one-year supply of CB Chicken from CB Foods; $70,000 cash and one-year supply of bread from National; Business Development Grant courtesy of JN Small Business loans; and prizes from other sponsors

Third Prize; $75,000 cash and one-year supply of CB Chicken from CB Foods; $30,000 cash and one-year supply of National bread; Business development grant from JN; and prizes from other sponsors.

PAN 2017 hopes to further highlight the efforts and economic impact of the numerous pan men and women across the island, as CB Foods continues its annual cooking contest, to crown the island’s top pan chicken man or woman.