Dutchie Culinary Festival: An Exciting Feature of Festival 2014

As part of the exciting family events and activities organized by the Ministry of Youth and Culture and its agencies, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will stage the Dutchie Culinary Festival under the theme, “From Jamaica to the World” which will showcase the diversity of Jamaican foods in creative and artistic ways.

The event slated for Sunday, August 3 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre promises to be an exciting feature of this year’s events for Jamaica’s annual Festival. The Culinary Festival will showcase the culinary artistry of the semi professionals from colleges, training institutes, restaurants and budding chefs.

JCDC Culinary Arts Development Specialist, Patrice Campbell stated that, “the Festival will take the form of live cooking demonstrations, cooking competitions, celebrity cook-off and mixology competitions, vegetable and fruit carvings displays and a showcase of Jamaican produces cooked in various ways. The competitors will vie for the Golden Dutch Pot trophy. We believe this Festival will give the entrants the platform to compete in more international competitions while honing their skills and confidence.”

The competition is open to all culinary students enrolled in training institutes, colleges or universities and persons working in the culinary field in restaurants or privately who should be 16 years and older. Entry forms can be accessed online at www.jcdc.gov.jm and submitted at any of the JCDC Parish Offices along with the entry fee of $1000.00 at the head office at 3-5 Phoenix Ave, Kingston 10.

SPECIAL LUNCHEON
Ms. Campbell added that a Luncheon themed, ‘A voyage on the palate’ will be hosted at the Festival which will feature a professional Chef who will prepare a three course meal for individuals at a cost of $5,000.00.  There will be two seating at 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available at JCDC offices.

Other features of the festival include an ‘Out of Many’ Village which will consist of food stations featuring foods from ethnic groups which contribute to Jamaica’s rich food culture; a ‘Wataloo’ Cooling Fountain which will contain beverages that are traditionally Jamaican and a Sweet Treats booth which will showcase Jamaica’s traditional sweet treats and the diversity of Jamaican fruits and produces into desserts. There will be live all day entertainment which will showcase Jamaica’s rich musical culture.

The Dutchie Culinary Festival aims to continually raise the standards of culinary excellence and professionalism while promoting the use of Jamaican grown local produce in creative, exquisite culinary artistry and nurturing the creativity of individual chefs.