Grace Foods stages third annual National Jerk Day in US today
GraceKennedy Foods is today staging its third annual National Jerk Day in major Jamaican diaspora cities in the United States.
The event — which sees restaurants, caterers, and food trucks creating dishes using Grace jerk seasoning and other of the brand’s seasonings, sauces, and marinades — is the climax of Jerk Week, which began on October 17.
Jerk Week is a celebration of the Jamaican tradition dating back centuries to the time of the Maroons, runaway slaves who developed the distinctive method of seasoning and slow-cooking meats underground to avoid smoke giving away their location to those seeking to harm them.
This year, restaurants in Atlanta and Washington, DC, are joining those in South Florida and New York which previously participated.
In South Florida lovers of jerk foods can visit Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant, Dynamic Cuisine Food Truck, Jerk Machine, Dutch Pot, and Golden Krust.
New Yorkers can stop by Island Spice food truck, Forever Jerk, Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace, and Miss Lily’s.
People in Atlanta will get jerk cuisine from APT4 Restaurant and Ms Icy Kitchen, while those in the DC/Maryland area can visit Island Quizine.
“Grace has been a pioneer in bringing Jamaican jerk and other Caribbean flavours to the world. We are a Jamaican company contributing to Jamaican history by telling our own stories while sharing our unique Caribbean food culture with the world,” a company release quotes GraceKennedy Foods USA President and CEO Derrick Reckord.
GraceKennedy, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year, has expanded and diversified into a global consumer group and, since the 1970s, has been serving the “a taste of home” to the Jamaican Diaspora.
The company, which has popularised jerk in retail food sales and is one of the most iconic representations of Brand Jamaica worldwide, is assuring people who appreciate authentic Jamaican culture and cuisine that they will enjoy Jerk Day.
“Jerk lovers who are unable to celebrate with the participating restaurants can join in the fun by making their own jerk creations at home using Grace jerk seasoning and sauces and posting videos, photos, or recipes on social media using the hashtags #nationaljamaicanjerkday, #jamaicanjerkday and #jamaicanjerk,” the company said.
