The Culinary Side of South Florida’s Caribbean-American Events

By

Hope Barrett

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August 9, 2017

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Island Origins Magazine HR Online Single Pages 61

Bring your hungry belly and your dancing shoes!

As if you needed another reason to visit the beautiful sunshine state! Along with the inviting beaches, cultural diversity and the steady beat of South Florida’s nightlife there’s a year-long lineup of Caribbean events with a spectacular culinary side to enjoy as well. Here are some of the Caribbean food festivals in South Florida you should know about.

The Taste the Islands Experience

New kid on the block ‘The Taste the Islands Experience’ promises to become an annual behemoth in future years, mixing the fine presentation of higher end food and wine events, with the spice, vibrancy and joie de vivre of the Caribbean. Guests sample gourmet bites and Caribbean cocktails in a tropical setting with other fabulous people. It is presented by the producers of national Caribbean culinary and travel series ‘Taste the Islands’, and takes the delicious Caribbean fare and island exploration in the show, from screen to table. Viewers from around the country are expected to flock to South Florida to “taste the islands” as the event grows. Learn more at ttiexperience.com.

Taste of Haiti

In May, America celebrates Haitian Heritage Month, and each year Miami enjoys a ‘Taste of Haiti’. The outdoor food festival is a favorite of Top Chefs, celebrities and local officials. It is free to attend and offers a range of activities from the chefs’ cooking competition to cooking demos, Haitian art displays and live music. In its 5th year, ‘Taste of Haiti’ drew over 5000 people from the Haitian and international communities. Learn more at tasteofhaitiusa.com.

Calle Ocho

‘Calle Ocho’ is the biggest street party in the country, and one of the most popular Caribbean food festivals in South Florida. The Cuban heritage celebration is named for the street shut down by the city of Miami to accommodate the almost 1 million people who attend each year. The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana has staged the event for 40 years, with the hottest Latin music performers, and multiple stages throughout the area. Attendees can try dishes from Central and South America including Citrus Sea Scallop Salad, Green Shrimps with Peruvian Bean Hummus, and Pigeon Peas Escabeche. They can also enjoy cooking contests, eating contests and VIP tours. Learn more at carnavalmiami.com.

Jamaican Jerk Festival

Since 2001, the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in Sunrise, Florida has been highlighting the best in Jamaican culture and cuisine. Around 25,000 attendees each November enjoy the Jerk Cook-Off, cultural stage, dozens of food vendors including from Jamaica and around the US, and a main stage with comedians, veteran reggae artists and international performers. Though traditional Jamaican jerk pork and chicken are massive sellers, festival-goers look forward to an array of more interesting offerings including spicy jerk cheese, mouthwatering jerk lobster, and fan favorite jerk ice cream. In recent years the festival has grown to include New York and DC installments as well. Learn more at jerkfestival.com.

Taste of the Caribbean

The ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ educational experience, cultural showcase and culinary competition is hosted in Miami early each June by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). The event appeals both to those in the world of hospitality who aim to build supplier relationships, and to the general consumer who enjoys a selection of great food and drink. A competition for top honors rages between culinary teams from the Bahamas, Curacao, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond. As part of their weekend of activities, the CHTA is introducing a new, more upscale event called ‘Caribbean 305’ in 2017. Learn more at chtataste.com.

Caribbean Village

Caribbean Village is a fairly new music, arts, food and wellness festival celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month. Presented by the Galleon Foundation, its higher purpose is to raise funds for scholarship programs in Jamaica and the Caribbean. There are cultural presentations from across the islands, traditional table and yard games for children and adults, and a concert featuring local and international performers.

This represents just a “taste” of what South Florida has to offer. With many more events in store, you can bring your hungry belly and dancing shoes, and we will see you at one of these amazing Caribbean food festivals in South Florida!

A Good Bellyful According to Jamaica’s “CG”

By

Franz Hall

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August 9, 2017

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Island Origins Magazine HR Online Single Pages 23

FRANZ HALL – Consul General | Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami

I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked by the producers of ‘Taste the Islands’ to appear on their show. I had seen Season 1 and recognized the value of such a show in showcasing Caribbean culinary traditions to a global audience, so I gladly accepted. This fit perfectly within the mandate of the Consulate-General, promoting the diverse expressions of Jamaican culture.

Of course, growing up in a Jamaican household, food was very important. Some of my favorite gastronomic memories came from times with my grandparents, who had raised a family of eleven children. I recall one weekend while visiting with them, I came across a bucket covered with a large silver tray, and a brick placed carefully on top. Being ever so nosey, I took a peek. Inside was a “sea cat”, better known as an octopus, and its tentacles immediately began unfurling towards the rim of the bucket. Luckily I had the presence of mind to quickly replace the lid and the brick. Little did I know that was to be Sunday dinner, and believe me, it was the best curried octopus that I have ever had!

My grandmother also made the best rice and peas, and while my mother’s comes close, she too would admit that “Ma B’s” was better – the ideal combination of rice that was of the perfect consistency, with the peas soft but not mushy, and the delectably complementary flavors of thyme, coconut milk, scotch bonnet pepper and an almost imperceptible hint of sweetness.

In my immediate household, Sundays were reserved for a full range of typical delights. My mother had a love of French cuisine, so scalloped potatoes or cabbage-au-gratin were often included. To this day, anything in a cheese sauce tastes better! My mother reigned supreme over dinner, but my father was the breakfast king, whose liver and bacon, steamed callaloo and fried dumplings are legendary. Many have tried, including me, to replicate these dishes, with abysmal results.

While I admit that I can hold my own in the kitchen, having displayed these skills and winning the quickfire celebrity chef challenge at the Jamaican Jerk Festival in South Florida a few years ago, I prefer to bake. One of my signature creations is rum cake, with its light, buttery flavor, and a healthy dousing of good Jamaican dark rum.

Jamaica is a land of many cultures and they are reflected in our cuisine, representing a perfect melding of flavors that are uniquely our own. I therefore salute the producers of Taste the Islands for their vision, and their dedication to creating this vehicle for sharing the culinary culture of the Caribbean with the world. Best wishes for a successful Season 2!