It was no cake walk for participants in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Festival of Foods eastern region finals.
The competition was boiling, as more than 500 amateur chefs went head to head at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Hope Road, St. Andrew, in a bid for culinary glory. They competed in categories such as Desserts, Batters and Doughs; Main Dishes; and Vegetables and Fruits.
While the wedding and celebration cakes provided a feast for the eyes, bussu stew, ackee punch, and baked stuff salted mackerel in yam had the judges and members of the public drooling.
Participants, mainly students from St. Thomas, St. Catherine, and Kingston and St. Andrew, competed for gold medals and awards in seven classes, sponsor’s products and traditional dishes.
The live competitions, napkin folding, table setting, and mystery basket cook off kept patrons entertained, as students matched their skills against time and creativity.
In the end, more than 400 medals were issued.
GOLD MEDAL
Irie Cheese Cake by Richard Brennan. This was in the Sponsor’s Product Category, P.A. Benjamin.
GOLD MEDAL
Now and Forever by Camiel Hause in the category of Wedding and Celebration Cakes.
SILVER MEDAL
Enchantment by Jomo Morriss in the category of Wedding and Celebration Cakes.
BRONZE MEDAL
Janet’s Dream by Janet McKenzie, in the category of Wedding and Celebration Cakes.
