Jamaica Culinary Tours

20/09/2024

Our food is not just delicious - it is beautiful! We love that it is a St. Lucian living in New Orleans cooking Jamaican food and talking about it in an American magazine. Food knows no borders!

F&W Best New Chef 2017 Nina Compton makes the most delicious version of Jamaican escovitch, combining the classic crispy pan-fried fish with a sweet and spicy pepper sauce. Get the recipe in the comments!

20/09/2024

Caribbean food is not only tasty but it is good for you! Hope you enjoy this article on the wonders of Caribbean food!

If you ever stumble upon Yuly Mendez’s Instagram page, you might wonder if you’re following a fitness enthusiast or a Caribbean food lover. Filled with images of cassava pancakes, stewed chicken, air-fryer plantain and curry chicken, Yuly, a first-generation Dominican-American from the Bronx, bl...

15/09/2024

Are you familiar with this type of cooking? We come from the Caribbean but we know that many visitors to San Andres island in Colombia would not be. They made it look easy here but there's an art to cooking like this. Would you like to see this type of experience here in Jamaica? We're building out new tours so let us know!

13/09/2024

Colonisation and a shared African ancestry left many of our Caribbean and Latin American countries with similar culinary traditions. On a recent trip to San Andres Island in Colombia we engaged in a culinary experience where we leant first hand about their 'Ron Don' which we were delighted to find was very similar to what we call in Jamaica 'Run Down'. While there are some differences the similarities in content and preparation are much greater.

For the ingredients, while the folks in San Andres use fresh fish and add salt to the coal pot, Jamaicans use "salt" mackerel. The Coconut Milk made from grated coconut is a staple in both versions, but the addition of breadfruit in the pot was new to us - the Jamaican way being to have the breadfruit (roasted and fried) as a tasty side accompaniment.

Suffice it to say, never mind the differences with our Jamaican Rundown, the result was the same - the San Andres Ron Don was hands down dee-licious! It was home away from home!

PS: Any guesses as to the meat in the first picture? (Jamaicans and Colombians are not eligible to answer!😀)

23/08/2024

Paging all foodies! It’s all about the food at Kingston Creative’s Artwalk Festival this month! Get ready for Foodie Come out and support competitors in the *Taste the Bikkle* contest, Plus, don’t miss the Cocktail demonstration and Paint and Sip with free drinks and free ice cream thanks to .icecream. It’s going to be a day full of flavor, fun, and excitement!

Did someone say ? 👀👀 Meet you at the ice cream truck!😄🍦🍨 Bring yuh belly an’ come!

16/06/2024

Had the privilege of serving as a judge for a JTB Junior Tourism Minister’s Speech Competition earlier this week. Some 12 students from Tourism Action Clubs in 7 High Schools island-wide participated in the speech competition in which they delivered a three minute speech (as Minister of Tourism) on a prepared topic, and then later a one minute speech on a Mystery topic. I was one of four Judges representing the tourism industry who selected the top three presenters. Mannings High School copped first AND second place, with Hampton High School placing third.

I was right proud that both of my Alma Mater were represented and that at least one - Hampton High School - made it to the top three. Vivat Floreat Hamptonia!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Of course you know I had to get a pic with them and their very proud teachers!

The top three winners will now vie for selection of one finalist who will go on to compete at the regional level for Junior Tourism Minister of the Caribbean later this year.

23/05/2024

It was a pleasure contributing to the newly released El Camino Travel Guide on Jamaica, and I welcomed the opportunity to showcase the work that is doing to transform Downtown Kingston through Art and Culture.

I love what El Camino Travel Team did with the Guide - it features some of the off the beaten track locations in Jamaica that offer a unique and authentic insight into the island, our culture and our people.

Here's what Travel Writer Kayla Joleen-Doris (herself a Jamaican descendant) had to say on LInkedIn:

The latest travel guide has dropped in the ECT Clubhouse! 🔥 🇯🇲

“We likkle but we tallawah” is a fitting proverb for Jamaica. Roughly translating to “we’re small but we’re mighty,” it encapsulates the cultural significance of this small nation that has had a global impact.

Many who visit the island don’t get to experience much beyond its all-inclusive resorts, which have privatized the coastline and made it harder for the financial benefits to reach locals. We’ve chosen to showcase the best of Jamaica’s diversity—which ranges from its pulsing capital city, majestic Blue Mountains, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls—by focusing on Kingston, Portland, and Treasure Beach. We’ve also tried to include as many locally-owned businesses as possible.

What's inside:⁠
⁠
✨️ An off-grid, remote guesthouse managed by a family who aim to share their “little piece of Jamaican paradise.”⁠
✨️ An exclusive and authentic riverside dining experience that has to be accessed by rafting along a river⁠
✨️ "The perfect spot to watch the sunset and have some cocktails" in Port Antonio⁠
✨️ Two Black and women-owned properties set in the most beautiful locations⁠
✨️ The best farm-to-table and vegan food experiences around the island⁠
⁠..and much more. This guide was made possible with insights from residents and experts, Janet Crick from Kingston Creative, Tiffany Dicker from Sunset's at Tiffany's, and Daisy Beech from Geejam Hotel.

Read a preview below and join the ECT Clubhouse to access the full guide:
https://lnkd.in/eCfx_qeG "

24/01/2024

Drumming is back at Ujima!!! Join Ryddim Lyfe for free children's sessions or enjoy the vibes from Ouida Lewis and friends at the Market. See you today at Hope Gardens. Visit the link in our bio for more details.

24/12/2023

Spectacular scenery on the North-South highway this morning as the sun rose up to meet me. Suddenly the early morning wake up call didn’t seem so tedious after all!

19/11/2023

We may have been hacked. Please do not accept any invitations from us and let us know of any suspicious activity immediately please. (DM Anne or Janet Crick on facebook please).

20/08/2023

Hi everyone - it's been a minute! But we are back! Lots to catch up on but let's start with the two Jamaican sisters in London! You can find us here

Join the two sisters on a foodie adventure - this time in …

01/01/2023

Well it’s past midnight in Chile and Big Sis and I have already marked the hour by observing a Chilean tradition of eating 12 grapes representing the 12 months of the New Year and making a wish for each one. Surprise Surprise - we each had “more travel” on our list! (And of course, the financial wherewithal to make that happen!💰😉😋

Here’s to a great 2023 my friends! 🥂May your dreams for each month of this year come true! And don’t forget to spread a little love, joy and good cheer along the way!🍾🥂🎊

02/12/2022

02/10/2022

Well, I missed giving a shout out on World Tourism Day, but I couldn’t let Tourism Awareness Week com to an end without paying tribute to this important industry. This year's theme was “Rethinking Tourism”. I'm proud that the two hats I wear - Co-founder/Creative Experience Director of Jamaica Culinary Tours, and Tours Coordinator for Kingston Creative, embrace a rethink of the traditional tourism product. They both intentionally delve into the heart of our culture and tap into the skills and creativity of our peoples, while building upward mobility through increased entrepreneurial opportunities.

Here's to an industry that offers so much potential for exploring and celebrating who we are as a people, and that allows creatives a space to showcase the many layers and facets that make up our beloved Jamaica. Still a lot more rethinking to do, but at least we've started the process.

Hip hip hooray for Tourism!

01/08/2022

Tour Day is over, evening festivities begin! It’s the Eve of Emancipation Day and I’m excited to be back at the Seville Heritage Park in St.Ann for the Seville Emancipation Jubilee all night vigil. The Vigil is a tribute to the four slaves whose remains were found on the property some years ago and subsequently reburied in front of the Great House.

Looking forward to Antioch evening of Jamaican culture - but first mi cup of ‘Choklit Tea’ in mi enamel cup!

22/05/2022

Just a reminder of what you’re missing if you are not in Jamaica now

15/05/2022

We were delighted to be edu-tained yesterday by Jamaican-Canadian folklorist Miss Tania Lou at S Foods Supermarketin Kingston, Jamaica as she did a tribute performance to our beloved Jamaican cultural icon, Miss Lou.

The audience enjoyed every bit of Tania Lou's vibrant and energetic performance , bringing back precious memories of Miss Lou's poetry and songs and showcasing many aspects of our vibrant and rich folklore and culture. In this video she sings a popular folk song about the Jamaican female coconut vendor. If you’ve been to Jamaica you know there’s nothing like a refreshing drink of coconut water on a hot day! And it’s good for you too as Miss Tania Lou reminds us in her colourful rendition of “Coc’nut Woman”!

Disclaimer….this performance will leave you craving a taste of coconut 🥥 and of Jamaica!!

15/04/2022

A blessed Good Friday to all! Here’s the follow up to yesterday’s homemade bun that was about to go in the oven. Needless to say we’ve been unashamedly snacking on the finished product all day - so much so we forgot to post a picture of it earlier!🤦🏾‍♀️

Drop some ❤️❤️❤️ in the comments if you love this part of our Jamaican culinary traditions! And do pop over to our You Tube channel for a yummy and fun reminder of our videos on making Easter Buns! Copy and paste the link for a tasty treat: 👉🏾https://youtube.com/channel/UC8izG70w990YVCgApiwB_lw

29/03/2022

As global foodies, we rave not only about Jamaican food, but love exploring foods from all over the world. The spicy feistiness of Thai food is one of our favourites, and what better way to celebrate Co-Director Anne's Birthday over the weekend than a delightful "Night in Thailand" hosted by the Mystic Thai restaurant!

We were treated to an evening of fine dining with exquisite dishes paired with an excellent choice of wines and cocktails provided by Select Brands. It was a delightful foodies dream come true kind of evening!

Incidentally, the event was hosted at the Jamaica Food & Drink Kitchen - a perfect space for pop up kitchens and culinary events. Rest assured we'll be exploring possibilities for curating events for our clients in this wonderful location!

05/03/2022

You cannot tell the story of Jamaican food without telling our history. Under colonial rule, Jamaica was one massive sugar production factory comprised of hundreds of sugar cane plantations across the island. The University of the West Indies (UWI) was one such sugar cane plantation.

It is a dark and painful part of our history, but it is our history nonetheless. These walls and structures are more than just ruins - they hold within them the stories of our Ancestors, stories of a strength and a spirit of resilience that have endured many a hardship , and have stood the rest of time. They stand defiant, not as symbols of shame for what was done to us, but as symbols of the fortitude and pride that has been passed down from generation to generation. A pride that resonates in the strides and excellence of each student whose enslaved forefathers worked this and other plantations.

Our food is marinated with the centuries old stories hidden within these walls. I am fascinated with exploring my history - the more I learn, the more seasoned, flavored and authentic my stories!

20/02/2022

Guess who likes Jamaican food too! Welcome Sir Mick.

Mick Jagger is in Jamaica right now! 🇯🇲
📸 MickJagger

01/02/2022

The Rastafari are an important part of Jamaican culture and cuisine. Learn a little bit more about them here. And if you want to learn more about their cuisine when you visit then ask us to organize your own culinary experience.

Most people link Rastas to marijuana, reggae and dreadlocks. But there's so much about Rastas we do not know. Here are 10 facts about Rastas that will shock you

30/01/2022

We know that many of our friends are blanketed under snow. Sending you warmth from sunny Jamaica where our tradidtional breakfast of ackee and saltfish is listed as one of the breakfasts around the world. Feel free to visit us to try it in person and of course our Jamaica Culinary Concierge will be happy to take you to sample our other island delights! See you soon!

Ever wondered about the food that people have for breakfast around the world? From creamy cornbread cake in Brazil to sweet coconut jam toast in Singapore, here's how 21 destinations start the day.

07/01/2022

Perhaps you've heard that ackee & saltfish is our national dish but why? Till you can take one of our tours again here is the lowdown

How did a meal that combines a preserved North Atlantic fish and a potentially deadly West African fruit become Jamaica’s national dish?