KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival 2025, scheduled for November 13–16, is set to showcase culinary innovations designed to delight the palates of discerning patrons.

The event promises a vibrant fusion of spices and flavours, complemented by rhythmic music and artisanal beverages.

The media launch for the festival, which has been endorsed by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, was held on September 26 at The Gardens, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

The culinary journey begins on November 13 at ‘Kuyah’ in downtown Kingston, under the theme: ‘Jamaican Food Reimagined’.

Patrons will enjoy inventive takes on traditional Jamaican cuisine crafted by 10 chefs, complemented by celebrated local spirits and rums, all set to the rhythm of live music.

The festival continues on Friday, November 14, with ‘Decade 2.0’ at Hope Gardens, featuring a dynamic culinary lineup that includes crisp, pork palooza, chopstick, and picante.

This year’s staging will elevate the experience with interpretations from 25 chefs.

On Saturday, November 15, Ocean Boulevard in downtown Kingston will come alive with Meat Streets and the Market, running from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

The event will feature street food, music, and live entertainment.

The festival will conclude with a crowd favourite—Boozy Brunch—on November 16.

Speaking during the launch, Minister Green stated that the festival plays a vital role in promoting the export of Jamaican food and culture.

“This is the start of a new decade for the food and drink festival, and having gone through 10 years, I think they are well established now. This [year’s staging] will be their biggest year ever… it is well positioned in Eat Jamaican Month. We are going to be a part of Kuyah, which is ‘Jamaica Reimagined’, because part of what we are trying to do is to ensure that Jamaican food is taken to the world, but in all types of restaurants.

“We believe that our foods can be utilised for all types of palates all over the world [such as] fine dining. We are ready for that, and the more we push that, is the more [exports] we will see of our sauces, our seasonings, all the things we produce here,” he said.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, in her address at the launch, credited the Jamaican Food Festival for its role in highlighting Jamaica’s rich food heritage.

“The festival has become one of the signature moments, where we come together to eat and drink and celebrate who we are as Jamaicans. When we speak of culture, we often highlight music, dance and language. But we must never forget that food is also a living archive of who we are,” she said.

Grange noted that Jamaica’s food culture is as powerful and influential as Reggae music, track and field, and the visual arts.

“It gives our chefs, bartenders and artisans [an opportunity] to show the artistry in Jamaican cuisine. It [also] allows them to blend tradition with innovation, bringing forward recipes passed down through generations, while providing bold twists that surprise even the most seasoned palate. In doing so, they carry forward our heritage while also expanding it,” she stated.

Festival Director, Alicia Bogues, told JIS News that this year marks the 11th staging of the event, which has grown in popularity both locally and internationally.

“We are so much more than jerk and ackee… we are about innovation and elevating food experiences. We welcome back Jamaican chef, Patrick Simpson, who is coming back with Walkers’ Wood. But also, we are welcoming Food Network’s Chef, Eric Adjepong, and we have our incredible [local talent]. They use the festival as a platform to show what they can do, and they step outside the box and really get creative,” she said.

Noting that record numbers are expected for the event, Bogues said this is a testament to the uniqueness of Jamaican gastronomy.

“Jamaica Food and Drink Festival was always about driving tourism and experiences through food. It is about creating a festival to encourage people to come to Jamaica… and experience Jamaica in a different way. It is so much more than sun sand and sea. Last year, we had a record number of foreigners, whether it was Diaspora [or other] foreigners coming, and each year, we grow strength over strength, year over year,” she said.

Pre-sale tickets will be available starting October 1.

Patrons may purchase tickets online at jafoodanddrink.com, or at designated outlets including the Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen at Progressive Shopping Centre, CBJ Market, Uncorked Too, Tac Bar, and Genus Pharmacy in Portmore.

– JIS