Boston JerkFest
The second annual Boston JerkFest and Rum & Brew Tasting takes place in two sessions June 28, 2014.
The first is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the second from 4 to 8 p.m. — both in the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, 41 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
As you may have guessed, this is a Caribbean foodie event featuring Jamaican jerk spiced food. (Oh, yes: there’s music and more entertainment, too.) General admission is $15 at door (but you still have to buy food). The Rum & Brew Tasting — adults only — is $45.
Boston JerkFest will feature jerk-style creations of top local Caribbean chefs, with authentic Caribbean, international and local spicy food for sale, including specialty foods such as: spicy jams, nuts, desserts from Jamaica Mi Hungry, Stir It Up Cuisine, Cupcake City, and others.
The jerk-style spice and technique was perfected by Africans who settled in that other town of Boston, in the Parish of Portland, Jamaica, where today, an annual festival celebrates authentic jerk. The Boston JerkFest will pay homage to Boston, Jamaica, the home of real Jamaican jerk.
Boston JerkFest will add chef demos to this year’s event, including a Seafood Throwdown with two chefs vying for the best jerk dish.
Boston JerkFest also offers a Rum & Brew Tasting for those 21 and older, with local craft beer, local rum, and a variety of other Caribbean-themed libations, including rum and beer cocktails. This ticket grants entrance to an indoor space with live music and unlimited two-ounce tastings from local and regional craft beer, mead and cider.
A portion of the proceeds of this event will support Cambridge Carnival International, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that organizes the annual Cambridge Carnival in Kendall Square, Cambridge.
(Photo courtesy of McKenzie News Service)