Jamaica Pork, Rum and Soca Festival, scheduled for October 11-12, was launched on Tuesday with the promoters promising that the event, which is geared towards supporting various charities, will make a very bold statement, indicating to the world that the island is ready to lead in food tourism.

“It is a statement. A statement that Jamaica is ready to lead, that our culture and culinary arts are second to none and that by coming together, we can make a meaningful impact on our economy and our communities,” Warren McDonald, chairman of the Glenlyon Foundation, which is staging the event, declared at the launch.

Glenlyon Foundation, which has been supporting schools and the less fortunate over many years, is registered under the Charities Act.

McDonald stated that the festival will be a celebration of Jamaica’s vibrant culture, exceptional cuisine and unmatched spirit of festivity.

“Jamaica is a land of rich culinary traditions, a place where flavours are bold, the music is invigorating and the people are passionate. The Jamaica Pork, Rum and Soca Festival encapsulate all of this and more. This festival is not merely another event on the calendar. It is an immersive experience that will showcase the best of what Jamaica has to offer,” said McDonald, a former president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.

He added: “Our festival is strategically designed to attract food enthusiasts, rum connoisseurs and music lovers from across the globe. The allure of succulent pork dishes, paired with our world-renowned Jamaican rum and the electrifying rhythms of soca music, creates a trifecta that is irresistible to both locals and international visitors alike”.

McDonald said that beyond the celebration lies a significant economic opportunity as food tourism is a rapidly growing sector and that Jamaica, with its reputation for culinary excellence, is perfectly poised to capitalise on this trend.

“The festival will not only boost tourism, but will also generate substantial revenue for our local economy. From the farmers who provide the pork, to the distillers that craft our exquisite rums, to the artisans and vendors who will display their wares, this festival will create a ripple effect, driving business across multiple sectors. The influx of tourists will lead to increased spending in hospitality, transportation and retail, injecting new vitality into our economy,” McDonald said.

The festival kicks off on October 11 at the Footprints Café at 5 Belmont Road in St Andrew from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. Patrons will be able to purchase meals priced at $4,000 and enjoy a rum reunion and pop-up party atmosphere.

Talisa Taylor, project manager and publicist for the event, said that the real excitement will be on October 12 from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am at the Liguanea Club in St Andrew.

“This is the main event and I can assure you that it will be an evening to remember. You can expect the sight of a whole pig, turning on a spit. Its skin perfectly crisped to a golden brown. The aroma of roasted pork will fill the air, drawing you in with its mouthwatering allure. It is not just the sight and the smell that will captivate you. It is the taste. Our roasted meat will feature a variety of rum-infused marinades, each adding to a unique depth of flavour, creating a sensory explosion that is pure Jamaican culinary artistry,” said Taylor.

“Join our renowned chefs as they showcase a range of pork dishes with exquisite Jamaican rums. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a lover of good food, you will leave with new insight and maybe even a few secrets to try at home. For our rum lovers, we have something truly special. At our rum tasting and sampling stations you will have the choice to indulge in the best of Jamaican rums.

“Sampled from a wide range of rums, each with its unique profile and enjoy expertly crafted rum mixes and cocktails that will redefine your understanding of what Jamaican rum can be. After all that indulgence, take a moment to refresh at our detox station, powered by the award-winning Camgar Farm, recently honoured with the 2024 Jamaica Observer’s Table Talk Food Awards in the category of best new local product award.”

Regular tickets for the main event on October 12, cost $20,000. For VIP the cost is $30,000 and $50,000 for VVIP tickets. Ticket outlets are Footprints Café and the Liguanea Club at 5 Knutsford Boulevard in St Andrew.