BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — Weather forecasts for lightning, thunder and heavy rain triggered a safety-first decision by organisers to hold the PAN 2019 Regional 2 without public participation.

But as it turned out, some people still turned up at Independence Park in Black River on September 28 to enjoy pan chicken and good vibes. They had themselves a ball, despite the wet weather.

Organisers say female competitors from the central parishes of Clarendon, St Elizabeth and Manchester were big winners at the PAN cook-off, which is hosted annually by CB Foods.

The tournament, now in its 15th year, involves a winner and runner-up selected from each parish (first place wins $50,000, while second place wins $30,000) as well as one wild card per region advancing to the Grand Final, which is scheduled for October 27 at Grizzly’s Plantation in St Ann.

In addition to Clarendon, St Elizabeth and Manchester, Regional 2 also involved Hanover, Westmoreland and St James.

First-time entrant Carlene Daley of Ward Avenue in Manchester finished in first place for that parish.

“It was a great experience for me, and seeing that it was my first time winning anything, I was so overjoyed,” said the pan chicken vendor of eight years.

Greenvale, Manchester resident Patsy Hewitt, who placed second, said, “I’m very excited and glad about the outcome. I came to either win or finish second.”

St Elizabeth’s Paulette Smith, whose husband Rohan Wright was the first-place winner for the parish last year, had similar success.

“Last year I assisted my husband and this year I am a winner. I can’t believe I won, but it goes to show that persistence is key. I am feeling good,” said the Frazer’s District resident who has been doing pan chicken for the past 10 years.

Vitto Palmer of North Hampton District finished in second place.

Sandy Bay resident Jody Ann Huie was the first-place winner for Clarendon. She was also the first-place winner overall for the region, and the first-place winner in the Miracle Sauce competition.

“Well, I am happy that I won and I am very thankful,” said Huie, who has been helping her parents prepare pan chicken since she was a teenager.

Alva Morrison from Corn Piece District in Hayes, finished in second place.

Mikael Bryce from Peckham District in Clarendon was selected as the Wild Card and he, too, will advance to the Grand Finals.

The other parish winners at PAN 2019 Regional 1 were:

Collin Grant – 1st place and Natasha Williams – 2nd place – Westmoreland

Jeana Francis – 1st place and Richard Buchanan – 2nd place – St James

Charmaine Pryce – 1st place and Jermaine Barrett- 2nd place – Hanover

In the Miracle Sauce competition, first place went to Jody Ann Huie of Clarendon, while Jermaine Barrett of Hanover finished in second place, and Jeana Francis of St James took third.

The overall winners for Regional 2 were:

1st place – Jody Ann Huie – Clarendon

2nd place – Paulette Smith – St Elizabeth

3rd place – Alva Morrison – Clarendon

PAN partners, National Baking Company, Jamaica National Group, Miracle Ketchup, Nupak, Walkerswood and Red Stripe provided prizes for winners and runners-up.

Comedian Dufton Shepherd and DJ Nico Bam Bam provided entertainment.