Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange says the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival plays a significant role in providing a platform for the island to celebrate its culinary identity.

“The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival has become one of the signature moments where we come together to eat and drink and we gather to celebrate who we are as Jamaicans,” Grange said in her address at the media launch for this year’s staging of the event at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday. “When we speak of culture, we often highlight music, dance and language, but we must never forget that food … they carry forward our heritage while also expanding it.”

The 2025 Jamaica Food and Drink Festival is set for November 13–16.

Celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, the event brings together the best of the country’s food and drink in a vibrant, community-focused atmosphere.

In her remarks, Grange also highlighted the government’s newly introduced Jamaica Entertainment and Creative Sector Insurance, encouraging members of the creative community in attendance to register and benefit from the initiative.

“I want to use the opportunity also to say to our creative people are gathered here, you too must make use of the Jamaica Entertainment and Creative Sector Insurance – life, accident and health insurance…it’s also for you, I think that most of you don’t see yourself making use of this insurance plan which will be introduced in the ministry,” Grange said.