Jamaica serves up culinary delights at Taste of London

The bold, unique and authentic flavours of Jamaica delighted the palates of UK consumers at the world’s leading restaurant, food and drink festival, Taste of London, which was staged at Regent’s Park, London from June 16 to 19.

Among the beverage brands featured were Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee, OJGB, Ting, Grace Tropical Rhythms and Marley Mellow Moods. The condiments and sauces category included Sue Tru and Matie Sauce, while HTB spiced bun, crackers and Hardo Bread were also showcased at the event. In addition to participating Jamaica food companies, UK-based Jamaican Collin Brown and Anthony Matthews of The Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, were the chefs charged with working their culinary magic in the two restaurants featured in the Taste of Jamaica space.

Both chefs collaborated with esteemed chef Martin Blunos on live Jamaican cooking demonstrations in the Taste of Jamaica Theatre, and also teamed up with UK celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, whose stepfather is Jamaican. Demonstrations from the chefs were set to the reggae beats of Jamaican artist Luciano, who helped to draw in the biggest crowd on the final day of the show.

Jamaica’s participation at the event was coordinated under the “Meet Jamaica” initiative, which seeks to raise the profile of Jamaican brands by participating in select UK events leading up to the 2012 Olympics in London. This initiative is being led the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).