Celebrity chefs, cooking competitions and interactive food experiences will take center stage at the Publix Culinary Pavilion during the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival on November 8 at Miramar Regional Park in South Florida.
The pavilion will feature live cooking demonstrations, celebrity cooking challenges, chef competitions and discussions exploring Caribbean cuisine, healthy eating, entrepreneurship and cultural identity.
Hosted by celebrity chef Chef Irie, with Suzette Speaks as co-host, the pavilion will offer festivalgoers opportunities to sample Caribbean flavors, learn new cooking techniques and participate in activities throughout the day.
Among the highlights will be the Chef Throwdown, featuring Chef Clay (Shamarley) Clayton of Clay’s Kitchen competing against Chef Krystal (Kryssi) Powell of Lume Lounge.
The Celebrity QuickFire Challenge will also return, with reigning champion Papa Keith defending his title against a challenger yet to be announced. Competitors will work with Grace products and mystery-basket ingredients to create dishes under time pressure.
Meanwhile, social media personality JaSky Princess will return to defend her 2025 title in the Influencer QuickFire Challenge against radio personality and singer G Cole.
Wellness expert and fitness advocate Kamila McDonald will lead a cooking demonstration featuring a Grace plant-based recipe, sharing ideas for incorporating plant-based meals and Grace products into everyday cooking.
Younger festivalgoers will also have an opportunity to participate in the Kids Culinary & Healthy Eating Area, hosted by EatWell Exchange. The interactive space will introduce children to food, nutrition and cooking through hands-on activities.
The pavilion will also host the Grace Jerk Sauce Tasting Competition, in which participating festival vendors will create their own jerk sauces using Grace Jerk Sauce as the base. Attendees will be able to sample the entries and vote for their favorite to determine the Best Jerk Sauce winner.
Beyond the cooking challenges, a panel discussion moderated by Chef Irie and Suzette Speaks will examine the relationship between Caribbean cuisine, wellness, business and cultural identity.
Panelists will include culinary innovator Chef Reece; entrepreneur Chef Vicky Colas; wellness advocate Michelle-Ann Ramsay, MD, MBBS; Andrea Reynolds of Grace Foods USA; and McDonald.
Topics will include adapting traditional Caribbean spices for modern kitchens, building businesses with a community focus, addressing health disparities while preserving authentic flavors, and the growing international appeal of jerk and Caribbean culture.
“Food is more than what we put on our plates. It tells our stories, connects generations and brings people together,” said June Minto, managing partner and culinary director of the Jamaican Jerk Festival.
“The Publix Culinary Pavilion captures that spirit, allowing festivalgoers to taste, learn, participate and have fun while celebrating the flavors and traditions of the Caribbean,” she added.
Giveaways, trivia, social media activities, photo opportunities and audience participation will also form part of the day’s programme.
The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, presented by Publix and VP Records, will take place Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Miramar Regional Park.
Tickets and additional information are available at jerkfestival.com.
