The spotlight was on sponsors Tuesday last, as Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) 2017 resumed its pre-festival events at Oak Wineware. Aptly dubbed ‘JFDF Sponsors Cocktail Clash,’ gold sponsors of the three-year-old event, notably Gas Products Limited (GasPro), Rainforest Seafoods, CB Foods, Fraser Fontaine & Kong Limited, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and the Jamaica Observer, were each given two minutes to replicate the Singapore Sling and Morrocan Nights as demonstrated by The Haven’s mixologist Andrew Campbell. The energy was palpable as the cocktail clash commenced with each of the six contestants eager to claim bragging rights. When the dust had settled Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at GasPro Mark DeFreitas and Nicolette Woolery, Jamaica Observer marketing officer, stood ready to claim the title JFDF Mixologist Champion.

The final challenge was to impress the judges, Consulting Manager for Barcode Wynton Hudson; Trade Select Manager for Select Brands Debra Taylor; and Head of Marketing and Cooperative Communications at Tru-Juice Marsha Lumley — with their ability to replicate a Stoli Hotshot. The judges scored each participant as follows: Appearance, 5 points; Aroma, 5 points; Presentation, 15 points and Taste ,25 points. DeFreitas, according to judge Debra Taylor, got the nod as both the flavour and presentation of his cocktail were closer to that of the sample beverage.

“The experience was nerve-racking at the start but a very exciting and fun one,” shared DeFreitas, “ One, however, that he would definitely repeat.

All three cocktails will be available at the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival and patrons are encouraged to try them.

The JFDF week starts on Saturday, October 21 with Pork Palooza at Hope Gardens, Chopstix on Wednesday, October 25, Crisp and Vintage on Thursday, October 26, Picante on Thursday, October 27. Meet Street & The Market on Saturday, October 28 and Brunch on Sunday, October 29.