The 21st annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival (GJJF), happening on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 1 pm-10 pm at Miramar Regional Park has announced its sizzling all-star line-up of chefs and musical performers.

The Publix Culinary Pavilion will feature internationally acclaimed celebrity chefs Travis Reece (Jamaica), Jamal Small (The Bahamas) and Darian Bryan (Jamaica), while on the musical side, two-time Grammy-winning royal family of reggae Morgan Heritage, Jamaican dancehall sensation Ding Dong and straight out of Bermuda, reggae artist Collie Buddz, will provide the soundtrack and vibes for a day filled with fun, food and Caribbean culture.

Turning up the heat in the Chef Challenge is the 2022 champion, NBC-6’s Cherney Amhara, who is being challenged this year by WPLG’s Alexis Frazier for the honour of GJJF’s 2023 Top Chef award. Celebrity judges include Jamaica Food Boss and South Florida-based Hungry Black Man.

Additional entertainment will feature comedian Chris “Johnny” Daley, Dancin’ Dynamites 2003 winners from Jamaica, DJs Richie D, Jazzy T, DJ Radcliffe and Ecstatic Sound along with a Patty Eating Contest with US$1,000 in cash prizes! Emcees are Jody Ann Gray and Tanto Irie of Hot 105 FM.

From succulent jerk chicken to tender jerk lobster, GJJF serves up an authentic culinary journey through the heart of the islands. The festival features an exciting food court offering a wide assortment of cuisines such as jerk chicken, pork, and fish, along with Jamaican favourites fried festival, oxtails, curry goat, escovitch fish, roasted corn, as well as other tasty delights.

GJJF managing partner and CEO Eddy Edwards commented, “South Florida is home to the largest Caribbean population in the United States. The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival reminds us of the significant, positive and delicious impact the Caribbean has on the American culture. Over the past 21 years, the festival has evolved to incorporate other wonderful Caribbean cultures, such as The Bahamas, and attract people the world over.”

GJJF presented by Publix in partnership with city of Miramar, Western Union, Greater Ft Lauderdale Visitors and Conventions Bureau, The National Weekly, Jamaica Observer, WAVS 1170 AM, Cox Radio Miami, and for the first time ever, the top stations in The Bahamas — Star 106.5 and HOT 91.7 along with The Nassau Guardian — to welcome attendees from islands of The Bahamas to enjoy some South Florida style island culture.

General admission tickets are US$40 and US$50 at the gate on event day. VIP tickets are US$175. Kids under 10 are free to attend. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit https://www.jerkfestival.com.