Anticipation is high as 10 innovators count down 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 innovators, from small, medium, and large enterprises, faced Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte, Derrimon Trading Co Ltd Founder and CEO Derrick Cotterell, and 10 Food Awards judges on Tuesday, May 30, at the AC Hotel Kingston, and agreed that the wealth of knowledge gained 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 Coffee breadfruit 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 concludes its two part series with the final five of 10 innovations.