Fay Pickersgill, Director of Tourism greets Dr. Chalston Brathwaite, IICA representative in Jamaica. They were at the Media Update of Jamaica Spice Food Festival held at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) head office recently.
MOUTH-WATERING JAMAICAN dishes, celebrity cooking demonstrations, food and beverage competitions and live entertainment are what the Jamaica Spice Food Festival promises, said Director of Tourism Fay Pickersgill. She was speaking at the Jamaica Tourist Board's Media Update on the event held at their Knutsford Boulevard office in Kingston.
The festival, which will take place at Mahagony Beach in Ocho Rios tomorrow, is the third annual Jamaica Spice Food Festival. It was launched, Mrs. Pickersgill said, in an attempt to promote Jamaican meals as a tourism venture.
Along with the local media, the festival will have overseas coverage from four-time Emmy Award-winning Better Homes and Gardens Television show (which airs in 80 per cent of US market) and from other media representatives who will be on the island for a Villas and Cuisine press tour.
This year's festival promises to be better than before. According to Mrs. Pickersgill, the past festivals have been successful and she sees nothing but more success for this one.
Jamaica Spice, she said, was "all embracing" as there would be something for all tastes, whether by traditional cooks or chefs from five-star restaurants.
A number of persons in agriculture have been working with the Jamaica Tourist Board to ensure that Jamaican products are used in the hotel industry. And at the function, Dr. Charlton Brathwaite, representative of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) said that "Agriculture and tourism must work together if we are going to succeed in the tourism sector."
One of the highlights of Jamaica spice will be a 'Cook Off' competition involving such restaurants as Evita's, Ocho Rios; Indies Pub and Grill, Kingston and Bloomfield Great House in Mandeville. In addition, there will be the finals of the 'My Granny's Best Potato Pudding.'
Frances Yeo, general manager of events and special projects, was also present.
- Ian Allen Photo
