THE FLORIDA newspaper, The New Times, has hailed the Jamaican Jerk Festival the Best Festival for 2005.
The report states: "Just as the giant Chili Cook-off inspires food with the impact of a reactor-core meltdown, the Jamaican Jerk Festival usually ignites taste buds in a big way.
Scotchbonnet pepper, the fiery ingredient in jerk sauce, appears to greater and lesser degrees in the authentic Jamaican cuisine offered by vendors and competitors.
Having outgrown a smaller spot in Pembroke Pines, the festival settled into the big fields of Markham Park last year, where the food and music lasts until 9:00 p.m. (last call used to come at 5:30 p.m. in the old location).
And there's more jerk chicken, fish, and pork than ever before, with a $500 prize and the Dutch Pot Trophy waiting for whoever can curry the judges' favour without burning their tongues.
Instead of the country anthems that blare at the redneckian Chili Cook-off, these jerk fans get off on reggae, ska, dancehall, soca, and mento. The red, gold, and green banner of the world's loudest island replaces the Stars and Bars.
Caribbean-made and themed wares, naturally, are a-plenty. If you simply must make an ass of yourself, the opportunity awaits at the jerk-pork-eating competition. Just don't call it a jerk-off.
This year's festival, organised by promoters Sydney Roberts and Eddy Edwards, will take place at Markham Park in South Florida on Sunday, September 24."
