Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Caecus Scully (left) explains his grandmother's Hawaiian Jerk chicken recipe to judges (from left), Lifestyle Editor Barbara Ellington, Jamaica Pegasus hotel manager, Nancy McLean, and Andre Largie, brand manager , Pepsi - a sponsor of the contest.

Whether it's pork, chicken or fish, once authentic Jamaica jerk seasoning is added, it is guaranteed to be finger-licking good.

Food challenged readers to show off their culinary skills in the Jerk Joy competition. Many entered, but it came down to three finalists, Caecus Scully, Loraine Moses and Donnie Bunting. Mr. Scully made jerk chicken Hawaiian style, while Miss Moses got creative with her jerk chicken fritters, and Mr. Bunting went the seafood way with his herb-stuffed tilapia. But, the question is, who will walk away with a round-trip ticket to the Florida Jerk Festival in Fort Lauderdale, where he/she can compete for the grand Dutch Pot Trophy in September.

On Monday, July 23, all three contestants came to The Gleaner's Office on 7 North Street, Kingston, armed with their main ingredients, garnishes and a determination to win. The competition was stiff, but in the end there can be only one winner. However, you will have to wait until next week to see who took the grand prize.

All contestants were judges on presentation, taste, texture/tenderness and want more factors. All four categories were marked out of 25 points. Judges were Nancy Mclean, Hotel manager/food and beverage at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Andre Largie, Pepsi brand manager (sponsor), and Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle editor at The Gleaner Company.

Judges comments:

The judges had this to say about each dish.

Herb-Stuffed Tilapia

Longville Park Farms herb-stuffed tilapia

Wrapping the fish in a banana leaf is an innovative idea and the fish has a beautiful texture, but the distinct jerk seasoning and flavour are missing.

We charge you to do it again, but this time, season fish in jerk seasoning and let it marinate so you can get the real jerk flavour.

Also, add some of the jerk seasoning to the stuffing that will also bring out the lovely jerk flavour in the fish.

Hawaiian Jerk Chicken

Hawaiian jerk chicken - Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer.

The sauce is smooth and the texture and taste are very good; this would go well at cocktail functions.

The jerk chicken had an unusual flavour that is not found in others.

The chicken is properly cooked and presented, especially the mango garnish, is a very good idea.

The taste of the chicken tells that the recipe has grandmother's touch.

Jerk Chicken Fritters

Jamaican jerk chicken fritters.

Creativity is obvious in the presentation.

Showed different, ways of having fritters, but forlunch the texture could be a little thicker.

Not everyone likes sauces with their meal so though the sauce was very fantastic, the fritter should be able to stand by itself. It is an excellent recipe but the jerk flavour could be stronger.

Recipe should be reworked to make the jerk taste more dominant.

Caecus Scully, Loraine Moses, Donnie Bunting