Stakeholders Call for Permanent Culinary Event in Falmouth

Key stakeholders, including political leaders in the parish of Trelawny, are calling for the introduction of a consistent gastronomy event, similar to the Savour Jamaica showcase held recently at the cruise shipping port of Falmouth, to help attract more visitors and boost Jamaica’s culinary offerings.

Mayor of Falmouth, Colin Gager and Member of Parliament for Northern Trelawny, Tova Hamilton have expressed that they would welcome an event similar to Savour Jamaica, which was held as one of the Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2024 events, becoming a permanent fixture. Savour Jamaica, which was staged at the Artisan Village in Falmouth, was a culinary event bringing together food vendors and chefs from across Jamaica to showcase dishes unique to each parish. 

Mayor Gager said he believed such an event would do well in the town, showcasing the various foods that are produced all over Jamaica. “I would love to see this as a regular attraction in Falmouth, especially on days when cruise ships are in port, as we would love to see that visitors can come off and taste of these offerings. And moreover, locals can walk over and also enjoy it. So, I think it’s something quite welcome; it’s something that is needed. Also, it helps with socializing, and I am sure if that is done you would have more persons coming out to enjoy what it has to offer and be a part of it,” he said.

Ms. Hamilton wants more than a one-off culinary event. “This activity would serve us well if it’s something that happens periodically. A one-off event is nice; it brings awareness to the space, but we’d love for it to be more frequently,” she admitted. 

Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, The Hon Godfrey Dyer indicated that they may have their wish. “I’m happy to see so many of you here. It’s a start up; nothing like this is anywhere else in Jamaica or the Caribbean and we can see where this is going to go,” he told the gathering.

Explaining the thinking behind Savour Jamaica, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Jennifer Griffith said, “The theme for TAW this year is ‘Tourism and Peace: Out of Many, One Love’ and for this activity, we have extended it to say, Out of Many, One Pot, because food is a good thing to really bring cultures and people together.”

Furthermore, she added: “Tourism and peace is about peace in communities, peace and harmony among nations, peace and harmony among people.”

“So, there are many ways to encourage persons to work together, but around a plate of food, is a sure win and the Artisan Village provided a good venue for a food event.”

Chefs and eateries offering the best of Jamaican cuisine in several parishes, were selected to offer a wide variety of dishes from neatly laid out booths in the Artisan Village. One booth from St. Elizabeth featured seafood, in particular peppered shrimp, while another specialized in both baked and boiled land and sea crabs. 

Patrons also had a variety of other choices. From St. Thomas came ackee and saltfish with roasted and fried breadfruit, while St. Catherine offered its seafood specialty, Westmoreland showcased freshly roasted pig on a spit, St. Ann opted for jerk chicken and home parish Trelawny, its sought-after roast yam and mackerel rundown.

The event which was open to both locals and visitors also featured live cultural entertainment, including the Artisan Village Performers dramatizing the story of Falmouth and a presentation of drumming, blowing of the Abeng, singing and dancing by beautifully costumed Trelawny Maroons. TAW 2024 ran from September 22-28.

SEEN IN MAIN IMAGE: Pork was one of the favorite meats at the Savour Jamaica culinary event which was staged at the Artisan Village in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Thursday, September 26, 2024 as one of the featured events for Tourism Awareness Week (TAW). Here Chef ‘FADA Chris’ carves up a pig roasted on a spit for customers. TAW 2024 ran from September 22-28, under the theme “Tourism and Peace: Out of Many, One Love.” – image courtesy of Jamaica Ministry of Tourism

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism 

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924, 

Fax: 906-1729