Guide To The Best Food Festivals in Jamaica in 2020

With my recent surge in food focused posts on my blog, I think it’s safe to say that I love a good meal. And it seems like I’m not the only one, because in recent years there has been a surge in the number of food festivals being held annually in Jamaica. The celebration of culinary skills and love in the form of food festivals have been making a delectable mark on the Jamaica events calendar. Gastronomes near and far have been making the yearly trek to descend upon the island in order to partake in all the festivities and celebrated culinary delights being held.

Those not versed in all things Jamaica may miss the big stamp that food has on the Jamaica landscape. I mean, Jamaica is usually well-known for its glorious sunshine and white sandy beaches, melodious music and for being a small country with a big impact on the world’s culture and athletic scene. But, what many novices may miss out on is the food-topia that exists in this country.

Jamaica is a food cultural Mecca. Point blank.... Period. Cooking is truly a celebrated art form. Especially, since many Jamaicans are true foodies (read love them belly/ wangagut). Food is a part of our cultural experience and expression. And we take that tradition seriously. Seasoning meats in preparation often occurs the night before and for big celebrations, this process may begin a week or weeks before the event. Beyond that, sharing a meal is a bonding experience that mends many a fences and builds many a ties. It strengthens and links the bonds of communities and friendships. It is a celebrated skill, with its own set of secrets being passed down from generation to generation. It is indeed a way of life here on the island. Have I started to convince you yet that food is an important part of Jamaican culture? Good. Now that we are on the same page. Let’s continue.

Realizing how much of an impact food has on our lifestyle, many have collaborated in producing some of the most premium and specially crafted events to feed our very desires. Some taking on keystone delicacies of our country, while others seek to merge local history and cultural food practices with modern and international delicacies and treats to emerge a pleasurable burst of tastes that excites, intrigues and satisfies at the same time. As a result, Jamaica is steadily working its way towards being the Caribbean’s must visit destination for gastronomes and food lovers locally and afar. The flavourful fusings and preparations occurring at these events makes both the eyes and the tummies dancing in joy and make the forks absentmindedly dive in continuously until everything is done. And all this can be experienced by you too at one of the nation’s numerous delectable food festivals.

Listed below are some of the most anticipated food festivals in Jamaica that you absolutely must put on your travel agenda in 2020. Food porn becomes live action reality at these events, so let’s where we need to be in 2020 shall we?

1. Jamaica Rum Festival (February 29 – March 1, 2020)

In only its second staging, Jamaica Rum Festival is one of the most anticipated food festivals across the island. I’ve already expressed how much Jamaicans love rum in my Appleton Estate Rum Tour post, so imagine how excited we are to have an entire rum focused festival? It’s like an answered prayer that we didn’t even know we were saying.

The grounds of Hope Gardens will erupt with lively energy as the event promises to be a full-fledged, exciting celebration and homage to rum with premium samplings, attractive displays from local artisans and exhilarating performances from some of the country’s best local performers. The perfect recipe to satisfy both the casual consumers and connoisseurs. You definitely CANNOT MISS this year’s staging!

2. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival (March 21, 2020)

For some, coffee is the only thing that wakes them up and keeps them going through the arduous workday. For others, coffee is the delicious drink that forms a part of their socialization and an important part of their community. And for many, it may just be something you just love pure and simple. The sweet aroma sends tingles through your spine and the taste caresses your tongue in a sweet dance. Whatever your relationship to coffee is, then this festival is just what the doctor prescribed to heighten your relationship with one of your favourite drinks.

Arguably one of the best coffees in the world, the renowned Blue Mountain Coffee Festival gives you a step into the world of the growing and brewing of the delicious liquid that you love so much. For one day only, enter into an immersive farm to cup experience that showcases the intricacies and delicate precision with which some of your favourite Baristas and coffee houses prepare your morning brew. I can hear the coffee calling already. Don’t you?

3. Kingston Curry Festival (May 24, 2020)

The well-versed Jamaican food connoisseur will know about the great love that Jamaicans have for curry. A dish of heightened proportions, curry goat is literally a longstanding cultural tradition that can make or break someones claim of culinary mastery. So distinguished in its taste, it was listed in the recent CNN article about ‘Curry's journey around the world’ that sparked online debate as Jamaica’s curry goat was highlighted and distinguished from the rest of the Caribbean countries’ curry. A mention that some did not take too lightly. Oh well, when gyal good gyal good and when gyal great gyal great, and Jamaica’s curry goat is just that great.

But beyond curry goat, curry itself has left an ineluctable mark on the tongues and hearts of Jamaicans as we began implementing it into more and more meals. Now we have an array of curry dishes, including curry crab, curry shrimp, curry chickpeas, curry chicken not to be confused with the popular pairing of fried chicken with curry gravy. That coupled with our strong population of persons of Indian descent sharing their curry dishes, we have culminated a distinct event of salivating proportions.

4. Montego Bay Jerk Festival (August 1, 2020)

There is one food preparation that is a cut above the rest here in Jamaica, and that’s jerk. No matter what rock you live under or how far away you come from, the Jamaican jerk chicken and jerk pork is known around the world as the MUST TRY thing when you arrive on the island. It’s something that others try to recreate and fail miserably. It’s one of the food items than many tourists and returning residents ask for as soon as they land. Trust and believe jerk is THAT GOOD!

Although not the birthplace of jerk on the island, that honour goes to Boston Bay, Portland. The festival held in Jamaica’s second city manages to both fill the void and execute with glorious precision the effort needed to truly showcase such an important Jamaican food. Jerk connoisseurs and appreciators have descended on the second city for more than 10 years in eager anticipation of this event. A mouthwatering chance to truly experience a dish that has so many talking, dancing and celebrating its creation. The Mobay Jerk festival is definitely a much needed addition to your food adventure calendar in 2020.

5. Port Royal Seafood Festival (October 2020)

The coastal village of Port Royal was once known as the richest and wickedest city in the world. That is until the earthquake of all earthquakes came with a vengeance. Still, not to be defeated, the descendants of those who survived proudly remain and celebrate their rich history. And part of that history involves the exquisite tastes of food from the sea.

Local fishermen are celebrated. Gloria’s restaurant (although it takes HOURS to get through) is still a beloved food spot for locals and foreigners alike. Seafood is an intimate part of the lives of Port Royals natives and visitors descend from all over to take part in the delicacies. Whether you love fish, shrimp, crab, lobster or more, you are sure to get a scrumptious taste of one of your favourite seafoods at this seafood extravaganza.

6. The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (October 2020)

What’s better than a one or two day food festival? Don’t know? How about a week-long celebration of the culinary arts?! Yes! You heard it right. A week-long food festival! That is exactly what the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival offers. Every gourmands’ heart shall fill with daily glee as they salivate over the scrumptious offerings of each event. Kingston has long since been the epicenter of the Jamaica food appreciation movement and has recently been dubbed Jamaica’s culinary capital. So is it a wonder that this event is being held in Kingston? Kingston is the country’s mecca for fine food and drink.

The festival differs in that the cuisines served truly stray away from the average. Not just a celebration of Jamaican foods and cuisines, the festival aims and succeeds in being a celebration of food overall. Each event is governed under a single theme that gives both a guideline and free range for exhibitors to showcase some of the best they have to offer. The yearly themes are Porkpalooza, D'vine, Chopstix, Crisp, Picante, Meet Street and the Market, and Sunday brunch. And each day offers with a unique twist that has lured in its own audience and die-hard fans. The event has had the unique pleasure of being the medium through which both traditional and newage delicacies are intertwined to create a melting pot of exotic flavours. This event is one that is epicures dreams come true. These delectable events are just what the belly desires to fully immerse yourself into the Jamaican food and culture scene so you definitely can’t miss.

So there you have it loves. These seven food festival experiences are only the tip of the iceberg of what food in Jamaica is all about. They serve as an introduction to the palate but they are by far not all that is pleasurable and delicious that is offered across the island. The island’s cuisine is constantly being shaped and transformed by the people who have made Jamaica their home. And so if you really want to go on a true adventure, after you visit these festivals, spend a little time going around the country to food spots and eat your way through Jamaica. Your belly will not be disappointed. Meals tend to be yummy, affordable and unforgettable. Don’t say I didn’t drop you any tea here.

I want to hear from you. Have you every been to one of these Jamaican food festivals? How was the experience? Or, have you ever tried Jamaican food? Did you like it? What’s your favourite? Tell me down below. I love hearing from you guys.

Until Next Time…

Love,

Nella