Toronto Jerk Fest heating things up Come for the food, stay for the fun!

BY NOEL CUNNINGHAM

Summer is not complete with the celebration of jerk food around the world and it’s no different for us here in Toronto. Jerk Fest celebrates the world renowned jerk cuisine. It’s a fusion of jerk food, pulsating music, family friendly entertainment and good vibes. This year the Grace Jerk Fest celebrates 18 years as the leading food festival in Toronto from August 9^th-11^th.

Patrons at Grace Jerk Fest will be able to participate in the hot and spicy jerk chicken eating competition, So You Think You Can Jerk competition, while enjoying cooking demonstrations by yours truly along with executive chef Glenroy Walker from Sandals Jamaica in the new jerk fest food demo tent. Come learn, taste and experience firsthand Caribbean gastronomy. Did you think it stopped there? You are also in for a treat featuring international headliners R&B sensations Jeffrey Osborne & Ginuwine then bringing the heat from Jamaica is Freddie McGregor and Dexta Daps.

A little back story about the famous Jamaican Jerk: Jerk refers to a way that a meat, be it chicken, beef, pork, goat or fish is seasoned and cooked. This style comes from Jamaica. The typical cooking style uses a marinade or paste that includes onion, garlic pimento, which is often called allspice, and scotch bonnet peppers. The meat is then marinated and slow smoked over pimento wood. Pimiento is a Spanish word for pepper and early European explorers mistook this for black pepper, so they called it pimento.

What to expect at the new demo tent? We will kick off food demonstrations on how to make your own jerk marinade, then an ackee saltfish surprise. Later on in the day you will get a chance to learn how to make your own curry powder as well while sampling all these dishes.

This week I am sharing with you a quick and delicious jerk chicken and callaloo fried rice to give you a taste of what to expect on August 10^th and 11^th.

Jerk Chicken and Callaloo Fried Rice

• Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon garlic
• 1 teaspoon onion
• 1 chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon jerk marinade
• 1/2 cup callaloo, chopped
• ½ cup bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup mix vegetable
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 stalk green onion

Directions:

1. In a heated frying pan with oil sauté together ginger, garlic, and onions until translucent and fragrant. Season chicken breast with jerk marinade and add to the pot allow to cook for 3 to 5 minutes until fully cooked.
2. Add callaloo and cook for 2 minutes. Add green peppers and mixed vegetables, stir to combine then add cooked rice and soy sauce. Serve and enjoy. You can pair this with your favorite summer drink.