Intermittent showers, Saturday last, did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the hundreds of patrons who descended upon the Historic Naval Dockyard in Port Royal for the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) Meet Street & The Market.

From Jamaican faves like jerk chicken, courtesy of the CB Group to fried fish and festival from Prendy’s On the Beach to other delightful staples such as Sheriff Gourmet BBQ with pork ribs or The Burrito Shack’s offerings of jerk chicken burritos and smoked pork belly, patrons were spoilt for choice.

Damian Campbell of Jamrock 876 Food expressed gratitude to the event for affording him the platform to showcase the unique way he offers his meats and pastas. “We have a unique spin on several dishes. We use beer to season our chicken, we use WalkersWood Jerk seasoning in our pastas to make it unique and different,” Campbell said.

With the uniqueness of Meet Street as a focal point for various interpretations of Jamaican Street Food, Campbell said that it was perfect for Jamaica to showcase its culinary gifts to a wide audience.

“Jamaica is becoming one of those countries in the world that is set apart when it comes to gastronomy,” Campbell said. “People from all walks of life, both local and overseas, love Jamaican food. And an event like this markets Jamaican food in a unique way,” he said.

It wasn’t just the food that patrons were interested in trying but the various drinks on offer that were uniquely Jamaican. At the NCB booth, for example, individuals were able to try natural juice concoctions courtesy of Grab a Belch Natural Juices. For owner Naval Bennett, Meet Street & The Market was a golden opportunity to offer enticing beverages made from locally grown fruits to both locals and tourists alike.

“All can get to experience what Jamaican juices really taste like because it’s been a long time since their taste buds have been crying out for something like this. Jamaican fruits have a very unique flavour, grown from an indigenous type of soil so it brings forth positive fruits,” Bennett commented.

While patrons got their fill of the many food items on offer, they also got to look at the various artisans offering Jamaican craft products.

Dustin Gooden, owner of Good N Proper Creations specialising in cutting boards, said that not only was it an opportunity to network with chefs who need such equipment but also to show tourists just how strong the local artisan scene is.

“It allows us all to really showcase what Jamaica has to offer because a lot of times people think ‘oh it’s just food and beaches’. But we also have a good artisan scene as well, so it allows us to showcase that as well,” Gooden said.

Meet Street had something for everyone and enthralled returning patrons and first-timers alike. Fitness trainer Derrick King was particularly pleased with the quality of the food and the reasonable prices, as he made the most of his first Meet Street experience on the festival’s 10-year milestone.

“It’s amazing. I love the setting, the food, the interaction with the people and it is a great family event. Jamaicans should jump on the opportunity to come because even the prices were amazing. I’m almost ashamed to be here [for the first time] at the 10th anniversary. But better late than never,” King said.