THIS YEAR'S Jerk Cook-Off competition is shaping up to be as hotly contested as in previous years, as contestants fine-tune their closely guarded, sure-fire, blue ribbon recipes, and prepare to battle for the coveted gold Dutch Pot (Dutchie) Trophy, plus serious bragging rights.
The Jerk Cook-Off competition is one of the many entertaining activities to see and do at the Jamaican Jerk Festival, which will take place at Markham Park, in Sunrise (Broward County), Florida on Sunday, September 18, from noon to 9:00 p.m.
GROWING IN POPULARITY
Now in its fourth year, the Jerk Cook-Off and Jamaican Jerk Festival are growing in popularity. Previous years' contests have been held under large, cool tents with elegantly decorated stations, many adorned with exotic tropical blooms. Contestants dress the part and proudly show off their entries. The judges move from table to table, tasting and evaluating. Table décor and appointments such as fine linen, flatware and china are some embellishments that competitors utilise to enhance their entries; but the star is the jerk cuisine.
JUDGED ON SKILLS
Entries are judged on elements of preparation such as taste, texture and tenderness, as well as garnishing, décor, and chef's appearance. Among those to be tapped for judging duty are: Barbara Ellington, from The Gleaner in Jamaica, and Sara Mair, one of the head chefs at Ortanique Restaurant in Coral Gables in the United States. In an innovative move this year, actual festival-goers will be selected to participate in the judging.
The first-place winner in 2004 was a Jamaican, Bernet Spence, who lives in Boynton Beach; second place went to Kingston-born Trevor Griffiths, who lives in Fort Lauderdale and who will be competing again this year, intent on pursuing top honours.
