The lawns of Jamaica College in St Andrew came alive on Sunday, August 31, as thousands of patrons gathered for the PAN 2025 Grand Finals, the ultimate celebration of food, music, and culture hosted by CB Foods.

With the aroma of PAN Chicken and PAN Pork filling the air, and the energy of Jamaica’s top entertainers on stage, the event reminded everyone why PAN has grown into Jamaica’s biggest foodie festival and street-culture showcase.

According to Nicole Hall, senior commercial marketing manager at CB Foods, “[O]ver 5,000 patrons, more than 1,000 families represented, and an atmosphere that truly felt like Jamaica coming together. It was a great family day, full of good food, fun, and unforgettable memories. That’s exactly what we wanted for our patrons, an event where everyone felt celebrated, connected, and proud.”

Entertainment has always been central to the PAN experience, and this year was no exception. Gospel minister Kevin Downswell, Female Reggae Artist of the Year Lila Ike, and music veteran Wayne Marshall each delivered unforgettable sets, raising the energy and delighting the crowd.

Downswell moved patrons with favourites like Change One Day, You Make Me Stronger, and Carry Me, while sharing, “I felt like I was in church. The people, whether they were saved or not, came open to praise God. The atmosphere was amazing, very inclusive and rich. Anytime I minister at PAN that’s the kind of spirit I feel,” said Downswell.

Wayne Marshall, celebrating 25 years in music, took fans on a nostalgic journey with Overcome and New Millennium, before being joined by his son Gio Mar for their hit Stupid Money.

“The energy was crazy out there. We come to deliver, but if the crowd doesn’t give the energy, it nah work. Big up the audience, they carried it down memory lane from 2000 right up to now. Big vibe, good look,” Marshall shared.

The ASHE Ensemble delivered a vibrant performance featuring a medley of Jamaican classics.

Singer Lila Ike capped off a day filled with fun. The artiste performed the hits that fans were eager to hear. Songs like Second Chance, Where I’m Coming From, Thy Will, and her latest chart-topper Romantic captivated the audience

“It felt amazing, you know, for an event that happened the entire day and for people to still wait to have me close the show; it was amazing. The vibe was great, and I enjoyed the people singing along to the songs, even to my newer songs. So, yeah, I feel like it was a blessing,” said Lila Ike.

Throughout the day, hosts Daindra Harrison, Miss Kitty, and Dufton “Duffy” Shepherd kept the vibes high, engaging the crowd with good music from DJ Powa.

On-stage giveaways from PAN partners included National Bakery, Coca-Cola, Tru-Juice, JN Money, Walkerswood, and Supreme Ventures.

The winners of PAN 2025 Grand Final were:

• 1st place – April Taylor (Kingston & St Andrew)

• 2nd place – Mobolji Bryan (St Elizabeth)

• 3rd place – Adrian Walker (Hanover)

All three had wins in the Tru Juice Sauce Boss competition, with Walker, Bryan and Taylor winning $60,000, $80,000 and $100,000, respectively.

New to PAN 2025 this year was the Copperwood PAN Pork competition, which saw former PAN champions and runners-up competing.

Lloyd Sterling from Kingston was third, Damian Steele representing St Catherine finished in second place, and Denton Gordon from Faith’s Pen in St Ann won first place.

In the Tru Juice Sauce Boss competition for the Copperwood PAN Pork competitors, Desrick Hamilton copped first-place, Denton Gordon was second, while Kevin Smith, who finished in 2nd place at PAN 2024, had to settle for third place.

Gospel minister Kevin Downswell dives into his hit song You Make Me Stronger.

Gio Mar creates ripples onstage at PAN 2025 grand finals.

A section of the crowd that turned up at Jamaica College for the grand finals of PAN 2025.

Winner April Taylor (centre) is flanked by (from left) Kajay Rowe, AVP marketing & innovation, Supreme Ventures; Reshima Kelly Williams, brand marketing manager, JPS; Nicole Hall, senior commercial marketing manager, CB Foods; Sanya Wallace and Cedrica Reid, JN Money; and Kimberly Campbell, marketing manager, National Baking Company.

Janet Sylvester, divisional manager, food distribution, CB Foods, presents Denton Gordon, 1st place winner, Copperwood PAN Pork competition, with the symbolic cheque.

Veteran entertainer Wayne Marshall gets the crowd going to one of his many hit songs.