The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) returns this autumn for its ninth staging on November 2 through November 5.

Considered a must do event on the national calendar, food and drink aficionados prepare to descend upon the city of Kingston to enjoy unforgettable bites and sips from the island’s best culinary talent. The Festival will, once more, be presented by VISA, which will be the event’s platinum partner for the fifth consecutive year.

International sensation and Michelin awarded chef, Ceasar Zapata, of Phuc Yea Miami who is renowned for his innovative approach to Vietnamese-Cajun cuisine will be the headline chef this year. Chef Zapata is part of an incredible line-up of 80+ top chefs, restaurateurs and food, wine and spirit purveyors from across the Island that will be showcased over the course of the Festival.

“We’re turning up the flavour and fun for our ninth anniversary in some new ways to showcase how diverse our food culture is!” We are committed to providing something for everybody at our events, from the varied range and themes, flavours and price points; there is something to suit all interests. This is a celebration you won’t want to miss,” said Alicia Bogues, festival director.

The actual festival days, which run from November 2 to 5, will kick off with our ever-popular Pork Palooza guaranteed to ignite your senses with the captivating spectacle of

New to this year’s calendar are exciting pre-festival events beginning October 4 with an ultra-exclusive wine paired dinner followed by a series of immersive, spirit themed cocktail affairs dubbed Festival Nites @ The Kitchen.

Patrons will also get a glimpse into our “Worthy” Experience, a rum tour and alfresco dining affair, showcasing the versatility and depth of Jamaican rums. Rounding off our pre-festival line-up will be a Chef’s Table.

This year’s Jamaica Food & Drink Festival 2023 will welcome thousands of patrons, both local and abroad, to indulge in some of the world’s best food, wine, and spirits while enjoyingnew and historic venues across the city.

This year sees live fire cooking featuring the finest of Jamaican pork. Pork lovers, this is the place to be! Next up is Picante: Spice + Spirits on November 3rd which epitomizes Jamaica’s vibrant and long-standing affair with fiery and zesty flavors … think sweet and savoury with more than a hint of scotchie!

Festival favourite, Meet Street and the Market, returns and breaks new ground by incorporating the allure and excitement of Port Royal into this year’s offerings. With over 60+ local food and drink traders, Meet Street attendees will be able to savour numerous local, award-winning creations, from mouth-watering street cuisine to irresistible cocktails, to delightful, sweet treats and beverages. To complement the culinary delights, local artisans will showcase their finest crafts and homewares.

The Historic Naval Dockyard of Port Royal will be buzzing with excitement and adventure with community tours, face painting and fairground rides also on offer, ensuring there is something for the whole family and promising a fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment experience.

The festival reaches then closes with its premium boozy brunch in the cool hills of Kingston that year after year leaves an indelible mark, creating cherished culinary memories.

The 2023 staging of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) will also welcome an unprecedented number of partners, signifying the value of its staging to Kingston’s entertainment landscape and in positioning the city of Kingston as a culinary destination.

Tickets for the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival 2023 are available for purchase online via Caribtix.com, while the pre festival events can be purchased at jamaicafoodanddrinkkitchen.com.