KINGSTON, Jamaica, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Grace Kennedy Limited, the Caribbean's leading food manufacturer and distributor, has announced that they are the new title sponsor of the largest Caribbean food festival in the United States. The Jamaican Jerk Festival, now named the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, will be held November 8, 2009, at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida.

"To have Grace Kennedy, the foremost producer of authentic Caribbean food products as the title sponsor is just a natural fit. The company has been a supporter and participant in the festival since our launch in 2001," says Eddy Edwards, Chairman of the Board of Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, Inc. "This festival has received wonderful recognition allowing us to grow over time, families even plan their vacations around this event, and we expect an even larger crowd to attend this year."

"Grace Kennedy has always considered this Festival to be one of our most important annual events in the region, allowing us to connect with the large Caribbean community here in South Florida as well as the expanding audience of Jerk lovers," says Joy Thomas, Market Manager - Southern USA. "Being the title sponsor presents us an opportunity to do more than just showcase our brand. We will be able to play a part in all of the day's entertainment and activities, really interact with the festival goers and serving up dishes made primarily with our Jerk line of products."

Grace's own Chef Mazie Miller will lead a team of chefs in non-stop cooking demonstrations featuring a wide range of Grace products. The chefs will emphasize the importance of good nutrition and wellness, an important message that Grace reinforces to its customers at every opportunity. These chefs and a few special guests will also have some fun challenging each other in a Grace Chefs Cook- off, while entrants in the Publix Jerk Cook-Off competition compete for cash, bragging rights and the coveted Dutch Pot Trophy.

Everyone stopping by the Grace Jerk Shack will be treated to savory bites created with Grace's own popular line of Jerk Seasonings for the home cook. Jerk seasoning recipes and cooking techniques are secrets passed down from generation to generation, and connoisseurs visit Jamaica and the Caribbean just for a taste of their favorites. Grace Foods' own special blend of Allspice and Scotch Bonnet Peppers create some of the company's flagship Jerk products - from the aromatic dry rubs, marinades and the new frozen dinners -- infuses food with this same mouthwatering flavor.

Festival goers will have many opportunities to win prizes and gift baskets including Grace products and premiums and of course sample products like healthful Grace Coconut Water, dance to the rhythm of Grace's Tropical Rhythms juices and classics like Grace Saltfish Fritters throughout the day. There will be two cultural stages, international acts, arts and crafts vendors, a Domino Tournament, Party Pavilion, Kidz Fun Zone, as well as netball and cricket competitions.

For more information about Grace Foods Jamaican Jerk Seasonings visit www.gracefoods.com and for tickets or information about the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival visit www.jerkfestival.com.

About Grace Foods

Grace Foods is a division of Grace Kennedy Limited, the Caribbean's leading food manufacturer and distributor. Grace Kennedy has provided authentic Caribbean food products to generations of Caribbean people earning... and still deserving... the name 'Grace, the Good Food People' since 1922. Today Grace Foods has expanded its distribution and brings the taste of the Caribbean to the world.

SOURCE Grace Kennedy Limited