The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is calling all chefs, foodies and culinarians to enter the 2021 Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition, which is currently accepting entries via its website www.jcdc.gov.jm.
The competition, which is free for entry, will take place in a virtual sphere this year due to the national social distancing protocols caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Participants will be required to submit their recipes via online submission and prepare dishes in keeping with the competition’s guidelines for live Zoom presentations for each respective category.
Person’s interested in entering this year’s competition may do so in any of the following five categories: Batters & Doughs, Wedding & Celebration Cakes, Traditional Jamaican Dishes, Knife Skill Techniques for Vegetables and Recipe Writing.
Entrants are also being encouraged to focus their recipes and culinary presentations around the 2021 specially selected locally-produced fruit item, the mango.
“The main focus of the Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition is to continue the development of Jamaican Cuisine while preserving our rich culinary heritage and promoting the talents and creative abilities of our culinarians. Each year we highlight a locally produced food item to help stimulate the creativity of our participants, while bringing awareness of the many uses and versatility of our local farm produce,” said Jane Jerry, JCDC Culinary Arts Development Specialist.
“This initiative is expected to generate interest and appreciation for the wide variety of Jamaican tropical agricultural products, especially for the food item we are highlighting this year, the mango. A favourite in every Jamaican household, we expect to see some delicious and refreshing mango themed treats!” She continued.
Jerry further noted that persons interested in entering the 2021 competition must first register for a JCDC ID number on the JCDC’s website, as the ID number will be required to complete their entry for submission. Persons should also note that they are limited to one entry per category per class.
Jerry also encouraged participants to access this year’s handbook via the JCDC’s website for additional guidance on the 2021 entry process and competition cycle.
“Participants will be marked on time, sanitation and hygiene, creativity, presentation, suitability, artistic impression, attention to detail, and technique and skill. We therefore encourage all our entrants to review the Culinary Arts handbook available on our website before they prepare their entries,” Jerry said.
The deadline for entry for the Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition is Monday, May 31, 2021.
The Mango has been selected as this year’s locally produced food item, which will be highlighted by the Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition in an effort to help stimulate the creativity of its participants, while bringing awareness to the versatility of local farm produce.
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