ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Although they’re now operating under a new name, operators of the former Jungle Fiah Buffet Restaurant says they’re continuing their annual Jerk Festival this Emancipendence weekend. Slated to be held in Bayside, Portmore in St Catherine on Saturday, the event promises to deliver the perfect blend of food and entertainment.

“While this is the inaugural year under our new name City Flames Buffet & Grill, this is an annual event we held when we were operating as The Jungle Fiah Buffet Restaurant Ltd,” said Franklyn Mason Jr, one of the eatery’s directors. “We want persons are to come out with their families for delectable authentic Jamaican Jerk, good music and good energy.”

The event is expected to start at 12 noon and run until 2:00 am. According to Mason Jr, there will be a wide range of performances by various artists from the 80’s and 90’s including Junior Cat, Jigsy King, General B, Bascom X, Little Kirk, Davi Don and more. The artistes will be backed by the J Fyah Band.

The annual event provides an opportunity for Mason Jr and his team to not only show off their culinary skills in the art of jerk, but it also opens the doors for community-building while highlighting the best of the Jamaican culture. He is hoping people will come out and enjoy “clean fun and authentic Jamaican cuisine.”

“This is something we like to do every year to commemorate the Emancipation and Independence of our country. We will have the traditional Jerk Chicken and Pork as well as Deer, Rabbit, Duck, Lobster and Fish all Jerked of course! Some other Jamaican Foods like roast yam and saltfish, festivals and much more,” he said. “Persons should come to support because it’s clean fun and amazing Authentic Jamaican cuisine,” he said.

Saturday’s event follows sharp on the heels of the eatery’s recent philanthropic efforts where they distributed more than 2,000 meals to less fortunate people affected by Hurricane Beryl. The initiative took course over the period of five days between preparation and distribution to beneficiaries. Distribution began on Wednesday July 10, in the Kingston region to the communities of Jones Town, Wilton Gardens and Hannah Town and in areas of Central Kingston. On Thursday July 11, the team went to Portmore communities, more specifically Independence City, Westchester, Portsmouth and Gregory Park. The final day of distribution was on Sunday July 15 in Spanish Town to the communities of Gordon Pen, Nugent Street, Tawes Meadows, Ellerslie Pen, Ensom City and Eltham.

READ: City Flames Buffet & Grill feeds sick, elderly and homeless following Beryl