The 11th edition of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) served up the ideal prelude to this year’s festivities, beginning March 5, when it hosted Chef’s Table at the Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen in Barbican, on Wednesday, March 4. Special guests who gathered for a curated culinary experience to kick off spotlighting the talents of featured chefs, American Scotley Innis — Hell’s Kitchen contestant and principal of Continent Atlanta and Brooklyn restaurants — and Trinbagonian chef Brigette Joseph, principal of Chef Brigette & Co.

Local chefs Patrick Simpson, Celeste Gordon, and Trevanne Donegal also brought their own signature flair to the occasion.

The flavours were perfectly complemented by crafted cocktails from Worthy Park Estate, Select Brands, Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited, and Ocean Spray. As the libations flowed, guests enjoyed a revolving selection of gourmet bites, providing a decadent snapshot of the festival’s upcoming offerings. All the while, DJ Rio curated the perfect soundtrack, filling the room with chart-topping hits.

In the midst of the celebrations, JFDF co-festival director Nicole Pandohie raised a glass, while thanking partners for their long-standing support.

“We want to welcome you and we want to thank you, as our partners, for trusting us with your brand and going on this journey with us to transform Kingston, Jamaica, as a culinary destination. And we feel like we have come a long way,” Pandohie said. Reflecting on the festival’s sustained success over the past 10 years, Pandohie proudly shared that the event was named the 2025 World Culinary Award winner for Best Caribbean Food Festival — a testament to its growing international reputation.

Bringing her Trinidadian roots to the fore, Chef Joseph delighted guests with spiced goat dumplings, stewed pork belly, and a fried paratha roti and choka trio.

“This is a festival that I really like and I look forward to. I have visited as a festival-goer before, so I am really excited to be part of it from the other side,” Joseph told the Jamaica Observer. “[What] I’m bringing is Caribbean execution excellence. I am happy to represent Trinidad in my dishes and I have been having a lot of great feedback,” she added.

For Innis, whose heritage is Jamaican, being part of the festival felt like hitting the jackpot. The New York native spoke with pride about returning to his roots, a connection he executed through his menu of crispy tuna sushi rice, curry shrimp potstickers, and coco bread pudding.

“It means everything to me because it has always been a childhood dream to represent myself to my people. Because of that, all I do is represent Jamaican culture wherever I travel. People know me as a Jamaican chef. Even though I wasn’t born here, I grew up as a Jamaican,” Innis said. “So representing my culture at the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, it means the world to me.”

JFDF continues this evening at Sabina Park for Decade 2.0, an evening of Crisp, Picante, Pork Palooza, and Chopstix, headlined by Chef Joseph among others. Tomorrow all roads lead to Hope Gardens for Meet Street and the Market, where the JFDF meets the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival.

All smiles at the kick-off to the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival were festival co-directors Alicia Bogues (left) and Nicole Pandohie. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Sharing the frame with Digicel General Manager, Consumer Kristalle Chin was Grace Foods and Services Regional Sales Manager Denver McDonald.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Celebrating a successful Chef’s Table were (from left) Jamaica Food and Drink Festival co-director Alicia Bogues; Visa Regional Marketing Manager Ayanna McClean; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green; Visa Regional Marketing Manager Kenesha Thomas; Chef Brigette Joseph; Chef Scotley Innis; and Visa Regional Marketing Manager Yanique Dawkins.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Complimenting Chef Patrick Simpson (left) on the night’s offerings was content creator Jeremy Joyce.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Walkerswood Sales and Marketing Director Sean Garbutt (left) and CEO & managing director of Seprod Group Richard Pandohie were spotted in conversation.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)