And the 2025 Nominees Best (New) Local Products are…
Paris Ruby Gourmet
A Jamaican small manufacturer of Jamaican baked products, based in Montego Bay, owned and operated by Zelecia Smith. The name Paris Ruby was created to honour family, heritage and cherished recipes, while preserving a legacy for future generations to create and share delightful moments by enjoying a piece of Jamaica with the ones you love.
Paris Ruby Fruitcake Mix: An original blend of a Jamaican Fruit Rum Cake, that is made for convenience and can be eaten all year round. This new product is made with local premium ingredients and is made in Jamaica by a Jamaican. Though made to provide convenience as a travel pack, the Paris Ruby Fruitcake Mix can be baked anytime, anywhere for any occasion or just for simple dessert pleasures. The authenticity of this product is 100 per cent premium and preserves the Jamaican heritage of “Just Like Grandma’s Cake”.
Paris Ruby Gourmet founder Zelecia Smith presents Fruitcake Mix. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Paris Ruby Gourmet founder Zelecia Smith during her presentation. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judges Adolph Raynor and Josina Jackson examine the Paris Ruby Gourmet Bread Pudding Loaf label. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Drizzle Cheesecake Jamaica
Aljermaine Robertson and Osania Campbell, the dynamic duo behind Drizzle Cheesecake Jamaica, a revolutionary frozen dessert business that’s changing the game! Our innovative frozen cheesecake on a stick has captured the hearts and taste buds of Jamaicans.
We made our debut at the HHB Expo on May 31 and June 1, 2025, where our booth was bustling both days. Customers went wild for our creamy, dreamy cheesecakes on a stick, and even radio personality ChineyK of Fyah 105 FM couldn’t resist our charm. She loved it so much that she reached out to us the next day to feature us on her show with DJ CopperShaun.
That led to the duo’s biggest break, an invitation to participate in the Jamaica Observer Food Awards tasting, where we met Food Awards chair Novia McDonald-Whyte, who shared valuable insights to take our business to the next level.
With our unique concept and mouth-watering flavours, Drizzle Cheesecake Jamaica is poised to take the island by storm. The best is yet to come for this new sweet sensation!
Drizzle Cheesecake (clockwise from left) strawberry shortcake crumble dipped and drizzled with white chocolate, coconut dipped in white chocolate with mango drizzle, and fruity pebbles dipped in white chocolate. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Days after conceptaulising their frozen cheesecake on a stick dessert, Drizzle Cheesecake Ja partners Aljermaine Robertson and Osania Campbell presented new flavours to the panel of judges. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Drizzle Cheesecake Ja partners Osania Campbell and Aljermaine Robertson present to the judges. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Goodness Gang Ja
Under the Island Lemonade brand, Goodness Gang crafts botanical iced tea with a twist, using herbs renowned for their health benefits. Made with real sugar cane, our Island Lemonade flavours are a refreshing fusion of zesty lemonade and soothing herbs like lavender, mint, hemp or hibiscus, offering a unique and revitalising experience.
Driven by a passion for understanding the connection between food and well-being, CEO Tameka Clough experienced unexplained anxiety despite having no apparent adverse issues in life. She found relief through herbal remedies, but grew tired of drinking hot teas. This led her to experimenting and crafting refreshing iced teas with a twist of lime for a convenient grab-and-go option for instant relief. These creations became popular among family and friends, and through this journey, Clough says she discovered the root cause of her anxiety: Cow’s milk. This realisation transformed her approach to food and mental health, paving the way for greater wellness and creativity through the Island Lemonade line.
The teas entered the public domain July 2024.
Goodness Gang Ja CEO Tameka Clough (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green (left) examines the label of the Goodness Gang Island Lemonade. Also photographed are Food Awards judges Maurice Sloley and Patricia Henry Brown. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
The judges were given sample sizes of Goodness Gang Island Lemonade to taste. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Pebble’s Pastries
Pebble’s Pastries’ husband-and-wife duo, Operations Director Damian Campbell and Managing Director Stacie-Ann Campbell, describe the Vegan Chocolate and Vanilla Cake Mix as a convenient and delicious plant-based baking solution designed for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions or who simply prefer a vegan lifestyle. The mix allows bakers to effortlessly create moist, fluffy, and flavourful cakes without the need for eggs or dairy, making homemade vegan treats accessible to all. It’s perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just a sweet craving.
The Campbells say
the idea stemmed from a desire to add variety to their existing product line. “We also noticed that there wasn’t an option in the Jamaican market for readily available vegan baking options that didn’t compromise on taste or texture. Our goal was to create a product that allows everyone to enjoy the simple pleasure of a homemade cake, regardless of their dietary choices. We wanted to make vegan baking not just possible, but easy, enjoyable, and utterly delicious”.
The product launched in July 2024.
Pebbles Pastries husband-and- wife duo Operations Director Damian Campbell and Managing Director Stacie-Ann Campbell presented vanilla and chocolate-flavoured Vegan Cake Mix (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Pebbles Pastries (from left) Chocolate, Black Forest, Lychee, Vanilla (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Food Awards judges Kimberly Williams and Professor Lloyd Waller examine nutritional facts on the Pebbles Pastries Vegan Cake Mix package. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Kande’s Delights
Craving something sweet? Kande’s Delights Cotton Candy — the brainchild of Kareema Muncey — is creating quite a stir in the local market with an ingenious product: Pre-Bagged Cotton Candy! The
nostalgic and fun sweet treat is beautifully packaged in ready-to-eat foil 3oz bags, and is convenient for children events and for the child at heart.
The vacuum-sealed bag ensures the fluffy goodness stays fresh for longer, giving consumers that melt-in-your-mouth magic anytime.
The product entered the market with a soft launch at Jamaica Expo 2025 and has
been moving off the shelves of stores quite rapidly since then. The Blueberry and Strawberry flavour is the first in a line of flavours that will include local fruit flavours: Mango, lychee and watermelon.
