KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Food & Drink Kitchen transformed into an epicurean laboratory Wednesday evening as celebrated chefs from across the globe unveiled innovative interpretations of Caribbean gastronomy. The exclusive Chef’s Table event, an invitation-only preview for the 2026 Jamaica Food & Drink Festival, demonstrated how traditional regional ingredients are being reinvented through contemporary culinary techniques.
The evening’s presentations revolved around this year’s festival theme: creative reimagining of familiar Caribbean components. Chef Scotley Innis, the Bronx-born culinary artist of Jamaican descent renowned for his Food Network appearances, showcased his innovative approach through dishes like crispy tuna served on sushi-style rice and peas, curry shrimp potstickers accentuated with scotch bonnet garnish, and an inventive coco-bread bread pudding complemented by rum crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream.
Brooklyn-based restaurateur Chef Patrick Simpson emphasized traditional Jamaican flavors presented through novel formats. His culinary offerings included ackee and salomon gundy bammy bites, red snapper sliders accompanied by spicy calypso coleslaw, and pulled jerk chicken tostones finished with avocado aioli.
Adding regional diversity to the proceedings, award-winning Trinidadian chef Brigette Joseph presented a fusion of Trinidadian and broader Caribbean influences. Her menu featured spiced goat dumplings with tamarind-soy glaze and chilli oil, stewed pork belly paired with macaroni-pie croquette and coconut callaloo, plus a trio of traditional Trinidadian chokas served alongside fried paratha.
The mixology component received equal innovation, with Chicago-based expert Tyler MacLellan crafting signature cocktails using Jamaican rum and tropical flavors. His creations included the Starbird Lights, a honey-and-passionfruit rum concoction, and the Fyah Bird, made with clarified strawberry cordial, pineapple, and lime.
Organizers highlighted that the festival, scheduled for March 5-8 in Kingston, will feature four signature events: KUYAH, DECADE 2.0, Meet Street & The Market, and Boozy Brunch. The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival, presented by VISA and hosted by CB Foods, continues to establish Kingston as a premier culinary destination within the Caribbean region.