KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Walkerswood Community Centre in St Ann came alive with food, entertainment and community spirit recently, as the fourth annual Walkerswood Jerk Festival attracted approximately 3,500 patrons.

According to a release, CB Chicken supported the community-led festival, which featured 30 local vendors, including 12 jerk vendors and competitors, along with family-friendly attractions, live entertainment, games and the Strong Woman and Strong Man challenges.

The festival also raises funds for projects benefiting the Walkerswood Basic School, the community centre and post office, with this year’s staging carrying added significance as the community continued its recovery following Hurricane Melissa.

“Partnerships aren’t just about working together; they’re about showing up for each other,” said Samantha Fisher, assistant brand manager at CB Foods. “Walkerswood has been a long-standing PAN partner, so supporting the jerk festival in their community was an easy decision. It allowed us to celebrate Jamaican food, invest in local talent and strengthen the communities we both serve.”

CB Chicken supplied 12 cases of chicken to participating vendors and competitors in the Walkerswood Jerk Competition.

Marilyn Brown or Ms Brown’s Authentic Jerk – 3rd place winner in the Walkerswood Jerk Competition and her assistant Tashane Lynch.

Andrew Reid of Nun Such emerged as champion, while Troy Clarke of Troy’s Mobile Jerk Hut placed second.

Head judge Chef Mark Cole, executive chef at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and resident PAN judge, praised the competitors for balancing creativity with authenticity.

“Jerk is one of Jamaica’s greatest culinary traditions. The passion and skill on display made selecting a winner incredibly difficult,” said Cole.

Mark Cole – Executive Chef of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel served as chief judge in the Walkerswood Jerk competition, gets ready to sample jerk chicken prepared by one of the participants.

“CB Chicken has supported the festival from its inception four years ago, and it has been a truly fruitful partnership,” said Wendy Laws, committee secretary of the Walkerswood Community Development Committee. “We’re excited to continue growing that relationship and exploring even greater opportunities together.”

CB Chicken’s support will continue beyond the festival with the donation of deep freezers to the Walkerswood Basic School and Walkerswood Academy to strengthen food-storage capacity for students and staff.

“The most meaningful part of the festival was seeing what food can do beyond the plate,” Fisher added. “It brought the community together, supported local entrepreneurs and showcased incredible culinary talent. That’s what our mantra Eat. Live. Love. Do Better. means to us—using food to bring people together, create opportunities and strengthen the communities we serve.”