JERKFEST celebrates the internationally renowned ‘Jerk Cuisine’ immersed in a rich 2-day celebration of Caribbean food and culture. The picturesque Centennial Park is home to the festival again this year. This free outdoor event will showcase twenty vendors all cooking up their best versions of jerk chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood and vegetables. One ultimate winner will be chosen by our celebrity judges.
What is Jerk Food?
The term jerk is said to come from the word charqui, a Spanish term for jerked or dried meat, which eventually became jerky in English. Another origin is linked to the jerking or poking of the meat with a sharp object to make holes in the meat and then filling it with the spice and slow roasting over a wood fire. Jerk spiced food is popular in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.
Jerk All Over
When Anthony Plummer immigrated to Toronto ten years ago, he asked his friends what there was to do in this city. “They told me about Taste of the Danforth, which features Greek food. And I asked, what about Jerk food?” That’s when Plummer decided to start the JerkFest.
Now in its 9th year, the JerkFest brings the flavors of the Caribbean to Toronto. “Jerk food is loved by so many different cultures because the flavours are so powerful. Everyone loves a great juicy taste. And there’s a whole culture attached to it. It’s just the same way reggae music, Bob Marley or Jamaica as a destination has captured the world… there’s a mystique to it all, to the spice, it’s hot, it’s sexy!”
A Good Jerk?
“You really have to use potent seasonings, natural seasonings. The best jerk is left to sit and marinate. Then it is cooked very slowly over real firewood. A good jerk spice has pimento, hot pepper, scallion, garlic and thyme. It uses the different flavours of the Caribbean like nutmeg to captivate the taste buds,” says Plummer.
Food for all, fun for all!
There’s something for everyone at the JerkFest. From live stage performances, to the kid zone, to our celebrity tasting competition and our fine dining tent. Free entrance, free parking and free fun, it’s a can’t miss event!
Proceeds from JerkFest will go to the Negril Education Environment Trust, an organization in Jamaica that aims to put a book in every child’s hand and a computer in every classroom. At home here in Toronto, JerkFest has partnered with the Jamaican Canadian Association to provide a full scholarship for post secondary studies in the field of arts to a student demonstrating excellence every year.
JerkFest 2010
August 7th, 8th
Centennial Park, Toronto
For more details on the festival, please visit http://www.jerkfestival.ca.
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