KINGSTON – September 1, 2010 – The global food sector is one of the largest and fastest growing industries worldwide. Farms, fresh produce stalls, supermarkets and cafes are just a few of the components that make up this colossal business, which continues to expand at an astonishing pace. Globalization has driven niche foods, such as ‘pan’ chicken, beyond their birthplace and spurred increased employment opportunities locally, regionally and internationally. In fact, jerk chicken, a product of the ‘pan’ cooking technique, has exploded in popularity over the past several years and is now regularly featured in restaurant menus and TV cooking shows throughout an eclectic range of countries.
In recognition of the development of the ‘pan’ food sector, Caribbean Broilers (CB) and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) have partnered on an ongoing initiative to promote this distinct cooking method and endorse culinary positions within the industry as viable careers. Through the annual staging of CB’s Pan Chicken Championship, which will be celebrated this year on Sunday, November 28 in Kingston, the organizations showcase original recipes, innovative preparation techniques and the remarkable talents of pan chicken vendors from across the island. In addition to succulent foods, the event offers patrons a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere complete with exciting entertainment options for both adults and children.
The championship, which is free and open to the public, will present an exuberant and fiercely competitive contest as its headline offering. Past champions Oliver Bailey (2005), Dorritte Brown (2006), David Graham (2007), Anthony West (2008) and Claudia Mitchell (2009) will go head to head in a bid to determine CB’s ‘ultimate champion’. In addition to bragging rights, the winner will receive a cash prize of $150,000. Food prepared by 1st and 2nd runner ups from previous championships will also be available for purchase. Slated to be a battle of ‘gastronomic’ flair, flavoursome spices, sauce-stained aprons, tenderised meat and charcoal-powered ‘pans’, the competitors are gearing up for a truly tantalizing and sizzling contest.
‘We believe this alliance with CB is immensely important as it allows us to carry out the Commission’s mandate of unearthing and promoting Jamaican culture,’ said Delroy Gordon, Deputy Executive Director of the JCDC. ‘There is a natural synergy between both entities as this competition provides a platform for CB to promote its agricultural brands and enables the JCDC to develop local culinary arts,’ he concluded.
The relationship was formally forged in 2005 as CB executives believed the JCDC would add credibility to their cooking competition, act as an excellent resource for food-related information and increase the marketability of the contest. In light of the agreement between the two organizations, the JCDC is primarily responsible for event planning and execution including the recruitment of both judges and competitors as well as the provision of entertainment during the championship.
The Commission always seeks to assemble a balanced team of judges who are highly trained culinary specialists and possess a genuine appreciation for pan chicken. Potential contestants must prove they are bona fide pan chicken vendors with at least 5 years experience in the profession. In order to enter the competition, interested persons must provide a business address from which they operate, supply a contact number, present a copy of their food handlers’ permit and show that they are registered with the Ministry of Health. Additionally, they must prepare a recipe, have someone co-sign their application and submit it to the JCDC. Since the 2010 competition will involve past champions, there will no recruitment for this year’s event. Entry forms will be available for future championships at the JCDC’s parish offices.
‘The championship is a great opportunity for pan chicken vendors to display their skills and promote their services,’ said Pamela Powell, a culinary specialist at the JCDC. ‘The event not only provides recognition and exposure, but also encourages vendors to become entrepreneurs, which in turn, enables them to establish or expand businesses, generate additional income and increase earning capacity,’ she continued.
In light of the tremendous success of the partnership over the past 5 years, the relationship between CB and the JCDC is expected to strengthen in the future. ‘Ultimately, we both want to continue to produce a high quality event for the entire family,’ said Lauri-Ann Ainsworth, Brand Manager at Caribbean Broilers. ‘We will continue to share thoughts about improving the competition as we attempt to outdo ourselves year after year,’ she concluded.
About The Caribbean Broilers Group
The Caribbean Broilers Group is comprised of a number of established West Indian companies including Caribbean Passion, CB Chicken, Nutramix, Newport Wharf & Services Ltd., Caribbean Hatchery Ltd. and Newport Genetics.
A subsidiary of the National Continental Corporation (NCC), the organization’s agricultural brands primarily handle feed milling, meat processing, poultry and pork production as well as distribution. CBG employs more than 500 persons in Jamaica and prides itself on being an avant- garde and innovative group.
For more information about the Caribbean Broilers Group of Companies (CBG), please visit www.caribbeanbroilersgroup.com
About The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC)
Formerly the Jamaica Festival Commission, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) was established in 1963 in order to foster creative talent and preserve the island’s heritage primarily in the areas of dance, traditional folk forms, speech, drama, culinary arts, visual arts, music and literary arts. The Commission executes its mandate through a number of events and contests including the annual independence celebrations and its ‘Festival of the Arts’ competition.
For more information about the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), please visit www.jcdc.org.jm.
Joni Wedderburn
Communications Consultant, Communication & Business Solutions Ltd. (CBS)
906-2266/ 906-9248
