The Ultimate Jerk located in the heart of St Ann celebrated 25 years of business on Wednesday, August 21, and the owners are thrilled to have reached this milestone.

Co-owned by Leslie and Iris Talbot, this beloved establishment recently celebrated a quarter-century of serving some of the island’s most mouth-watering jerk dishes.

“To be honoured and recognised by Red Stripe, the official beer of Jamaica, with a 25-year long-standing customer award while celebrating our anniversary is an absolute honour, especially since we are a development coming from humble beginnings,” shared Ultimate Jerk’s co-owner Iris Talbot after receiving the award from Red Stripe Junior Channel Development Manager Shannakay Drysden.

Founded in 1999, The Ultimate Jerk began as a humble endeavour to continue a friend’s roadside stand. The older gentleman, known affectionately as “African”, was a beloved figure in the community renowned for his delicious jerk chicken. However, age started to take its toll and he could no longer manage his roadside stand.

With a desire to keep the community’s favourite flavours alive, Leslie and Iris took over the spot, naming it The Ultimate Jerk and expanding it into the renowned destination it is today. Its success is built on a simple yet powerful tradition of using fresh, local ingredients and traditional jerk techniques.

“At Ultimate Jerk, we know the secrets to good Jamaican jerk. The meat has to be cooked slowly with splashes of Red Stripe beer to bring out the flavour, which is one reason we’re such a big hit in the north. We are also proud that our staff have been trained to and by Portland Boston standards, which many Jamaicans associate with an authentic jerk,” Talbot explained

The Ultimate Jerk Spot’s celebration of its 25th-anniversary brought together sponsor Red Stripe and the Ultimate Jerk team for a vibrant celebration of Jamaican culture. The event featued live reggae and dancehall music performances and plenty of jerk chicken, pork, and rabbit — all prepared with the same dedication and skill that have made The Ultimate Jerk a household name, much like Boston Jerk in Portland.

Reflecting on the milestone, Nathan Nelms, Red Stripe brand manager, shared his enthusiasm.

“This isn’t just a celebration of 25 years of great food but of a tradition that has been savoured by both locals and tourists. We are proud to partner with an establishment that embodies the essence of Jamaican culture and flavour. The Ultimate Jerk has become synonymous with authenticity and quality, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.”

“We are very blessed to have Red Stripe as our sponsor, as they are known worldwide for their crisp flavour,” Talbot added.

“Being at the forefront of tourism on the north coast, we always get the order of jerk and Red Stripe—it’s a house favourite.”

As The Ultimate Jerk looks to the future, the Talbots remain committed to their roots, with a vision to continue celebrating Jamaican cuisine and sharing it with the world. While there are no specific plans for expansion, the focus remains on maintaining the high standards that have kept their customers coming back for decades.