Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Sous chef, Simeon Brown at Hedonism III prepares his scrumptious yet interesting creation, Rasta pasta.

Hedonism III's annual jerk festival held over Heroes weekend indulged guests' palates and cravings for real Jamaica cuisine.

The festival dubbed 'Naughty, Nice and a Whole lot of Spice' showcased soulful and cultural Jamaican cooking, plus local sponsors had booths stocked with a variety of Jamaica produce.

Some products showcased included: Blue Mountain Coffee, Appleton Overproof White Rum and Jablum Coffee. There was also a huge jerk stand on the beach, courtesy of Portland jerk - just the way it's done in Portland. Four building blocks at each side, a wood fire in the middle, layers of pimento wood laid out in a straight line, and lots of chicken and pork stock on top. As the smoke and heat romanced the meat, mouth-watering flavour oozed outfilling the beach with the delicious jerk flavour.

Both locals and tourists gathered around the jerk station as they dug into the scrumptious smoked flavoured meat. Some tourists who were discovering jerk for the first time could not get enough of the good ole Jamaican jerk.

Good head

Saturday morning's events started off with a bang with the rising stars cook-off. This gave young upcoming chefs the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills. The day heated up with the erotic blends mixology done by Serena Williams, bartender at Hedonism III. She used several J. Wray & Nephew rums to make interesting and fun drinks. There was the 'Good head', a mixture of J. Wray and Nephew white overproof rum and Amaretto liqueur. Followed by the 'Put it in', a mixture of Appleton Rum, pineapple juice ad cherry brandy. To top it off she made 'Take it off' made from J. & and Nephew White Overproof Rum, Peach Schnapps, and orange juice. Those who tasted those drinks could not go more than two rounds, as they were flavourful but 'deadly'.

As the day progressed, there was a 'Rasta pasta' demonstration. This was a Rastafarian delight made up of fettuccini pasta, olive oil, callaloo and ackee. As chef Simeon Brown worked his magic, people gathered around waiting anxiously to taste his interesting creation. To much amazement, it tasted quite good; in fact, some went back for seconds.

Among those displaying was Siddy Clarke, the sky juice lady. She gave us a blast from the past with her hand-shaved sky juice. These cooled the raging tempest of the sun. As she shaved on her second block of ice she complained that her arms were in pain but that did not stop people from coming.

Throughout the day guests went around to the different booths tasting goodies on offer. Some ended the day with an ice cream, courtesy of Crazy Jim, while others feasted on more jerk and some enjoyed the big juicy burger, courtesy of National Meats and Food. However, some ended it all as they started, with a steaming cup of coffee from Jamaica Standard Products and some enjoyed a ice-old coffee drink, courtesy of Jablum.

From left: A display of 'Take it off', 'Put it in', and 'Good head', all cocktail drinks made by Serena Williams, bartender at Hedonism III. Right: Some of the dessert goodies on display at Gala Night. - photos by Rosemary Parkinson