This year, JerkFest Toronto is celebrating their 20th anniversary with Trinidadian-Canadian Chef Kareema. If you’re a lover of Caribbean cuisine get ready because Kareema be virtually sharing her best Caribbean-Fusion recipes and from August 6th – 8th.
Caribbean cuisine is arguably the most diverse in the world. JerkFest celebrates Caribbean food, music, art and community all through award winning chefs and performances from international and Canadian artists. If you’re looking to tune into this event, here’s everything you need to know about Chef Kareema and JerkFest.
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Chef Kareema
Chef Kareema is the owner of Chef Kareema Caribbean Fusion at 203 Dundas St E, Toronto. She began her culinary journey in 2000 when she graduated with a Culinary Arts Diploma. In 2014, she took a small business course, and credits it as one of the best things she ever did. Since then, she’s been working independently and waiting for the right time to open her own restaurant. With enough time and preparation, Chef Kareema Caribbean Fusion opened its doors in December 2020.
Kareema’s decision to launch her opening during a major lockdown meant that she needed to pivot and keep pushing. “The journey has been long, with lots of ups and lots of downs, but I’m grateful for all of it and all of the experiences. Its all a learning experience,” she said.
At JerkFest, Kareema will be breaking down her signature dishes and give audiences an inside look into her recipes. At Chef Kareema Caribbean Fusion, the #1 top seller is the Jerk Chicken Lasagne. Along with that are her ribs, mashed potatoes, corn platter and signature Caribbean style spring rolls, which was recently featured on CityLine!
“To me, its important to be apart of JerkFest because my food offers a different side to our food. We don’t only make the stereotypical food, we have all different kinds of foods from the islands. I like to do fusions to showcase different parts of the islands and how their foods influence the African side of the food, the Indian side of the food and make it mesh and become modern.”
Chef Kareema
Kareema is bringing something different to Caribbean food. This year will be her first appearance at JerkFest and she is more excited then ever to apart of this virtual event.
JerkFest’s 20th Anniversary
For two decades the International Jerk Food and Music Festival presented by TD Bank Group has celebrated Caribbean food, music, art and community with a family friendly event. This year’s 20th anniversary three-night free virtual broadcast takes place at 6pm EST each night from Friday August 6th to Sunday August 8th.
The JerkFest headliners are Jamaican reggae legends Tarrus Riley and saxophonist Dean Fraser, ‘The Empress of Reggae Music’ Marica Griffiths and dancehall singer Lukie D. Hosting the showcase of talent and cooking demos are CBC’s Dwight Drummond, Feva TV host Kerry Lee Crawford and Vibe 105’s Carrie Mullins aka ‘Mumma Canada’ with the award-winning Jamaican Chef Noel Cunningham and Trinidadian-Canadian Chef Kareema.
This year, to mark 20 years, JerkFest viewers are asked to donate to a fund to support 20 GTA families in need due to the pandemic, whether it’s for food, utilities, education. The families will be selected through the assistance of social services, community organizations and churches.
“This year’s virtual festival promotes shared experiences, helps foster a sense of belonging, and strengthens communities across the country through music, culture, and food.”
Naki Osutei, Associate Vice President, Social Impact, Canada, TD Bank Group.
For more information and to tune into the events visit jerkfestival.ca.
Feature Image: @hungry_wongs
