The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will host a series of regional culinary competitions during the month of May.  The Culinary Arts Regional Competition will provide persons with the chance to ‘face off’ at the regional level in categories including live cooking, and cooking challenges such as ‘Dutchie Dash’ and Nyam- on-a-Budget.

Competitors from the central and eastern regions will participate at the Eastern Region Culinary Arts Competition, which will be held on Wednesday, May 18 at the YMCA Auditorium, 21 Hope Road, Kingston 10. The Northern Region’s Culinary Arts competition will be held on Friday, May 20 at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall, Port Maria, St. Mary, and the Western Region’s Culinary Arts Competition will be held on Friday, May 27 at the Jockey Factory in Lucea, Hanover.

According to Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the JCDC, Mr. Stephen Davidson: “The Culinary Arts competition is one of most anticipated competitions each year.  Chefs, Culinary Connoisseurs and Foodies that can ‘tun dem hand’ come from far and wide to show off their culinary skills at these regional shows.”

He continued, “But this year we are especially looking forward to persons competing under the healthy eating themes ‘Healthy Living: Reimagining Food … Healthy Eating on a Low Budget’ and ‘Eat Healthy…Exercise…Knock-out Obesity.’ put on by sponsors Grace Foods, Nestle Jamaica and the National Health Fund”.

Mr. Davidson also noted that participants will be competing in the categories “Live Cooking”, “Hor d’ oeuvres, Sandwiches and Salads”,  “Baked Treats”, “Hot Off the Grill”, “Rising Star Chef”, “Cold Desserts”, “Fruit and Vegetable Carving”, “Mixology”, “Table Setting and Napkin Folding”, “Dutchie Dash” and “Nyam-on-a-Budget”.

The Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition is sponsored by CHASE Fund, Petcom, Grace Kitchens, Excelsior, Nestle Jamaica, KSAC, Grace Foods, National Health Fund, Happy Ice, and, Wican and LifeSpan Spring Water.