New York’s premier Caribbean food and music event, Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, returns to Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on Sunday, July 31. 

This year, the festival will be celebrating a lot: a 10th-anniversary milestone, Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence and title sponsor, Grace Foods’ 100 years of existence. The event will be a celebration of the best Caribbean food, music, culture and family fun, with a variety of offerings to please everyone.

Over 30 Caribbean restaurants and food vendors will be serving delicious Jerk-themed dishes to thousands who will flock to this annual festival to feast, dance and savour authentic Jamaican food and entertainment. Foodies will see an all-star lineup of Celebrity Chefs demonstrate their cooking artistry with new and innovative jerk recipes in the Culinary Pavilion.

Jerk cook-off to generate a lot of excitement

Celebrity guests such as Angela Yee of the Breakfast Club Morning Show (Power 105 FM in New York) will display her cooking skills in the jerk cook-off which is sure to generate a lot of excitement.

Food Network’s Chopped champion, Andre Fowles along with other top chefs such as Ron Duprat, Chef Darian, Chef Troy, Chef Eddie G, Chef Max Hardy and Chef Natacha Gomez will be in the Culinary Pavilion battling against each other for bragging rights and the “Dutch Pot Trophy” to the delight of the audience.

Chef Irie will host these culinary luminaries as well as offer tasty samples, creative recipes and cooking tips to guests. Patrons are advised to come early to feast on the cultural presentations which will feature the popular Asase Yaa Cultural dancers and drummers as well as singing sensation Nighy Boy, who has been an inspiration to thousands, impressed with his story of survival and determination.

Fashion designer, Mamayashi will showcase some trendy Afrocentric summer wear guaranteed to evoke oohs and aahs from both men and women.  Renowned Jamaican cultural ambassador, Sharon Gordon will host this entertaining and inspiring segment.

Music lovers will be treated to a variety of top-class entertainers with performances by Protoje, Lila Iké, Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo, Laa Lee, who will make his New York performance debut with Cristale. Platinum Kids DJs will drop crowd favourites to electrify attendees throughout the day.

The Kids Zone will be buzzing with fun activities for the young ones, featuring educational and brain-teasing puzzles, traditional ring games and immersive activities such as face-painting and art, which will even provide entertainment for parents.