Jerk, Jamaica’s culinary gift to the world, took centre stage at the 10th staging of the Montego Bay Jerk and Food Festival, held at Catherine Hall on Emancipation Day. The event, a grand celebration of flavour and culture, drew a lively and enthusiastic crowd and featured a diverse array of jerk interpretations, each tempting the attendees’ taste buds. From the fiery spice lovers to those who preferred a milder kick, there was something for everyone to savour and enjoy.

Among the day’s attractions, the festival’s highlight was undoubtedly The Best Dressed Chicken Celebrity Cook-Off. This exciting competition brought together renowned chefs and local personalities who showcased their culinary prowess, creating mouth-watering jerk dishes. Taking charge at the grill drum were Robin Russell, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association; Oral Heaven, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Janet Silvera, journalist and host of YouTube programme West Side Ja; and TikTok-fave-turned-restaurateur Rameish Desouza, whose unusual addition of Stinking Toe fruit to his sauce claimed the Cook-Off’s top prize. Andrew Allen, relationship manager, The Best Dressed Chicken, said, “If it’s jerk, you know we must be at the table. We love partnering with the Montego Bay Jerk and Food Festival, and this year’s Celebrity Cook-Off was a lot of fun. It proves that chicken is always everybody’s favourite and given the quality taste and presentation of what the celebrity chefs produced, chicken will always be a winner.”