Anticipation is high as 10 innovators countdown to Thursday, June 27, 2024, to find out who will walk away with the coveted Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards 2024 Best (New) Local Product Award. The group of small, medium, and large enterprises were on display at the Food Awards Tasting at the AC Hotel Kingston on Tuesday, May 30, and agreed that the wealth of knowledge and feedback from Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte, Derrimon Trading Co Ltd Founder and CEO Derrick Cotterell — who returned for a third year — and 10 food awards judges was the true prize.

The panel of 12, had their palates soothed and tastebuds tantalised with savouries and sweets paired with food innovations up for judging.

“We normally get inundated with sauces, which is quite fine because Jamaica is ‘sauce country’, so I don’t want to discourage the sauce makers,” said Cotterell as he welcomed unique entries from the 10 participants.

This year’s line-up featured Coffeebreadfruit punch, pepper jelly and coffee teabags from Camgar Farms; infused coconut oil from Sally’s Gourmet Kitchen; the newest rum cream on the market from Smith’s; Ginger Beet Ketchup and turmeric juice from Lincoln’s; Cassava Pancake Mix from Nella’s; an array of jellies and sauces from Chef Mark Cole; Supligen’s bold Max iteration; Yellow Yam Vodka from Wait A Bit; and Vegan Cheese from WellGood.

“We have quite the range this evening, from the big conglomerates like Seprod, down to the people in Clarendon who have a little bit of space and decided to make some products. Generally speaking, the products were very good… I think I can speak on behalf of all the judges that there were some excellent presentations,” said Cotterell.

Thursday Food shares five of the 10 innovations in Part 1.

See more next week.