A vibrant feast of food, flavour and community
Summer in London is a beautiful thing (when it decides to show up), and there’s no better way to enjoy it than with great food, good music and even better company. From 25th-27th July, The Original Jerk Cookout took over Woolwich Works, and I had the pleasure of attending the Saturday session – part food festival, part cultural celebration, all heart.
The cookout created an unbeatable energy, with kids bouncing around on inflatables and the smell of jerk filling the venue. This wasn’t just a food event, it was a love letter to Caribbean culture.
Naturally the food was the star of the show, and I made it my mission to sample as much as I could. Kicking things off with a chicken patty from Port Royal Patties, the bar was set high. Next up, Taste Soul Good, where I enjoyed an extremely generous helping of jerk chicken, curry goat and fried plantain. From there, PK Spices delivered a heaping plate of ackee and saltfish with dumplings, before I returned to G&G Jamrock Kitchen for, of course, yet more jerk chicken. Finally, I managed to squeeze in a banana carrot cake from Connie’s Cake – one which I’ll be thinking about daily.
Despite stretching my own stomach to its limits, I couldn’t help but admire the range of other food vendors who also brought their A-game to the event: Kingston Seven, Mommy’s Kitchen, Cummin Up, NS Catering and Caribbean Hut. All of them filled the venue with the most delicious smells and sights, I wished I’d had room for more! And for those seeking plant-based goodness, Global Fusion Vegan Creole ensured that any vegans in attendance didn’t miss out on the delicious fun.
Beyond the food (and drink – thank you Woolwich Works for the delicious rum punch), the day also offered moments of calm, culture and connection. The book club provided space to reflect and engage with Caribbean literature, and stalls selling everything from jerk sauce to skincare to tarot readings brought a cheery, marketplace energy. And live music was the heartbeat of the event, keeping the vibe dialled right up from start to finish.
The Original Jerk Cookout wasn’t just a celebration of food, but of community. Inclusive, vibrant, and welcoming, and creating a perfect day out for the whole family.