It’s Time to Get Your Tickets for the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival
by Carolyn Lee Oct 20, 2023
The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) allows patrons to treat their taste buds to some of the world’s best cuisines, wines, and spirits. The gastronomic event, now in its ninth year, is being staged from 2-5 November in new venues across the city. Visa returns as the event’s platinum partner for the fifth consecutive year.
The JFDF events – locations, dates, and timelines.
Pork Palooza: This event is popular among pork lovers and typically showcases the best of Jamaican pork. Patrons should prepare for mouthwatering ribs smothered in tasty sauces, crispy pork belly, and other tasty pork dishes, with live cooking demonstrations that will get you hooked. You can satisfy your pork cravings at Hope Gardens on 2 November from 7-11pm with pork and rum offerings.
Picante: Spice + Spirits: If you love sweet, savoury, fiery, and zesty flavours, you should not miss this event. Imagine delicious foods rich with spices, seasonings, and bursts of flavours melting into your mouth with the rich notes of smooth spirits. Save the date, 3 November, and head to Hope Gardens for the ultimate spice fest, starting at 7-11pm.
Meet Street and the Market: This event returns and promises to excite festival lovers. The event will feature over 60 local food and drink vendors, allowing attendees to sample award-winning creations, including flavourful street food, refreshing cocktails, beverages, and sweet treats. Local artisans will be showcasing craft and homeware items. Enjoy a day of family fun by heading to the Historic Naval Dockyard, Port Royal, from 2-10pm on 4 November for face painting, community tours, and fairground rides.
Brunch in the Hills: This boozy brunch is the perfect way to spend your Sunday if you are into breathtaking views while enjoying a delectable feast. Brunch in the Hills culminates this year’s food and drink festival on 5 November. You can indulge in extraordinary food and drink from 11am to 2pm and create new memories to last a lifetime.
This year’s JFDF sponsors and ticket information.
The 2023 staging of the JFDF has an impressive roster of sponsors, including platinum partner Visa, host partner CB Foods, National Commercial Bank, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Jamaica Tourist Board, Port Authority of Jamaica, and Kingston & St Andrew Municipal Corporation. Several media, food, and drink business entities (gold and silver sponsors) also partner with the event.
JFDF tickets are available online at caribtix.com/jfdf, Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen, Candy Craze (inside Fontana, Waterloo), Life Store (SuperValu Plaza, Constant Spring Rd.), and Chilitos Jamexican (Hope Road).
You can get updates on the festival by visiting the JFDF’s website, Instagram, or Facebook page. If you want more food articles, head to Find Yello.
Sources: Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, Visit Jamaica, and Jamaica Observer.
