NEGRIL, JAMAICA — The Cliff Hotel, a Virtuoso resort located in Negril, will host the Jamaica Jerk Championship, December 4 – 6, 2026 — a new three-day culinary event celebrating the history, craft, and culture of Jamaica’s iconic jerk tradition.

Open to hotel guests and the public, the inaugural weekend will bring together the island’s top jerk cooks and pit masters for a series of competitions, live-fire demonstrations, and tastings with James Beard Award winners Rodney Scott and Andrew Black, Jamaican chef and three-time Chopped champion Andre Fowles, Michelin-recognised and James Beard Award nominee Jamaican Chef Nicola Blaque, and Michelin-starred New York Chef Dae Kim serving as the expert panel of judges for the event.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring together an event of this calibre that celebrates the rich jerk tradition of Jamaica,” said The Cliff Hotel Managing Director George Fisette. “This is an amazing opportunity for food lovers to experience the flavours that make this island so unique, and the culinary talents who continue to honour and evolve this important craft that is a fundamental part of Jamaican culture.”

Hosted by two-time James Beard Award-winning author Adrian Miller, the weekend will feature a welcome reception, championship competition, interactive jerk experiences, the Respect the Jerk: Community Concert at WAVZ on Seven Mile Beach, and a farewell brunch, where the majority of the events will take place at The Cliff Hotel.

Sponsors include internationally known Mibrasa, Dry Ager USA, Dozen Cousins, Gordon Castle Gin, High Noon Seltzer, and La Marca Prosecco.

The newly renovated resort, which is made up of 22 guest rooms and suites and four villas, will provide the perfect backdrop for the culinary festivities. Set on five acres along Negril’s famed West End, The Cliff is known for its dramatic seaside setting and distinctly Jamaican approach to dining, with local ingredients and island flavours woven throughout its culinary programming.

Between events, guests can enjoy the resort’s pools, KiYara Spa, and sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea.