Event Spotlight: Jamaica Food and Drink Festival

Travelers who are looking for a vibrant, exciting, and endlessly inviting vacation destination to enjoy will find Jamaica an exceptionally wonderful destination to choose. Here, there’s plenty of sun, sand, and surf to go around as well as an overall welcoming ambiance that’s irresistible! Jamaica is also a destination that’s built on impeccable flavors and when you’re the type of adventurer who can’t wait to try it all, heading this way in November is always a good idea. That’s when the annual Jamaica Food and Drink Festival rolls in, giving locals and visitors alike every reason to celebrate amazing dishes, beverages, and good company in style.

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When is the Festival Hosted?

In 2023, the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival will be held from November 2 through November 5. The event brings the high energy fun and flavor to Kingston where the city’s bold energy is the perfect match for the savory moments ahead. Grills will be fired up all across Kingston during the festival which is a highly anticipated and popular event for locals and those from across Jamaica each year. The festival is designed to give locals and visitors a comprehensive look at cosmopolitan cuisine in perfect pairing with the Jamaican vibe. In years past, the festival has been dubbed the Best Culinary Festival by the team over at the World Culinary Awards and 2023 is shaping up to be just as epic! 

What to Enjoy While You’re Here

It’s fair to say that the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival is designed to impress and provide palate-pleasing moments each and every year. Once again, the festival will be providing participants with access to over 40 world-renowned chefs, flavorful events of all types as well as music, live entertainment, and options to be a part of a truly unforgettable local experience. Before the festival even gets started on November 2, 2023, there are pre-festival events that you can participate in. On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Saluti: A Journey Through Italy will be hosted at BUZO starting at 6:30 pm. This experience gives participants a chance to explore Italian wines and perfectly paired bites while learning about the craftsmanship, cuisine, and rich history of Italy. JDF Kitchen will be hosting a themed cocktail and champagne event on October 11 as well as a Tequila Mockingbird evening on October 18.  

When the festival gets underway, there’s even more to enjoy! Thursday, November 2 will host the Pork Palooza Pig Out at Hope Gardens. Guests who are looking to enjoy the best of Kingston’s finest and spiciest flavors will want to check out Picante: Flavors + Spice Combining events on November 3 at Hope Gardens. On Saturday, November 4, 2023, Port Royal will be hosting Main Street + The Market where participants can come to eat island favorites all day long! When you know you want to be a part of the Food and Drink Festival fun, both pre-festival event tickets and festival event tickets can be purchased online in advance with early bird specials running through October 31.