Kingston, Jamaica: The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is adding some extra spice to the 2025 Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition with the introduction of the Street Food JA category. This exciting new addition offers a unique platform for Jamaica’s street food vendors, culinary entrepreneurs, and aspiring chefs to showcase their skills, creativity, and authenticity while celebrating the rich flavours that define Jamaica’s vibrant culinary culture. Prospective entrants are invited to submit their entries online at www.jcdc.gov.jm, with the new deadline for submissions set for Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Culinary Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Jane Jerry, encourages individuals to seize this exciting opportunity. She shares, "The JCDC Culinary Arts Competition is more than just a food contest—it’s a celebration of our rich culinary heritage, a platform to elevate standards, and an opportunity to instill pride in the craft.We want the public to recognize that professionalism is not defined by a formal kitchen but by discipline, presentation, and respect for their work.”
She explained that the decision to introduce the Street Food JA category was a significant step toward elevating the craft of street food vendors. “We created this category to transform how people perceive street vendors, culinary entrepreneurs, and aspiring chefs—while also equipping them with the skills and recognition they deserve. Too often, their talent and dedication are overlooked simply because they don’t work in a high-end kitchen, but excellence in food preparation isn’t about where you cook—it’s about how you cook.
Street vendors should uphold the same high standards as any professional chef, from sanitation and knife skills to food safety and presentation. This competition offers them a platform to showcase their expertise, ensuring that when they serve their dishes, they do so with the same skill and attention to detail expected in a fine dining setting.”
She further explained that the Street Food JA category will follow a similar format to the popular Pan Chicken category, where competitors prepare their dishes on the spot and are judged based on key criteria, including recipe/menu, presentation, taste, sanitation/hygiene, and time management.
"Each participant will select three items from a selected list of popular street foods—including chicken neck, yam, shrimp, breadfruit, fried dumpling, soup, crab, corn, festival, fish, and bammy—and will have one hour to prepare and present their dishes for judging. In addition to competing, vendors will also have the opportunity to sell their food to attendees on the day of the event, creating a built-in market for their offerings…After presenting their dishes to the judges, they can make any remaining portions available for sale, allowing them to showcase their culinary skills while also benefiting financially.”
Chef de Cuisine and long-time JCDC Culinary Arts Competition adjudicator, Christopher Brown, expressed his enthusiasm for the new Street Food JA category. “Our culture is rich, with a melting pot of flavours from various cultures brought to the island. When I think about street food, I see the true essence of Jamaican cuisine. Many street food vendors have learned their skills from family—whether grandparents, parents, or older siblings—and now bring those authentic techniques to the streets. Each vendor offers something unique, and adding a street food category to the competition lets us experience these true flavors up close.”
“I strongly encourage street food vendors to enter this category,” Brown continued. “It’s a chance to highlight the rich heritage of Jamaican cuisine and share your culinary journey with a wider audience. Participating also provides an opportunity to learn and grow by seeing the work of others, which can inspire new ideas and help you refine your craft.”
The Jamaica Culinary Arts Competition, one of the JCDC’s flagship programs, continues to highlight Jamaica’s rich culinary heritage, offering 12 categories designed to challenge and inspire chefs at all levels. Prospective entrants are encouraged to visit the JCDC website at www.jcdc.gov.jm to download the full 2025 competition handbook and review all the rules and regulations. Applications are only being accepted online through the website; however, individuals may also contact their nearest JCDC parish office for assistance. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
