Finalists From Food Network “Chopped” For Jamaican Jerk Festival

Then mayoral candidate and current NYC Mayor, Bill DeBlasio competed at the 2013 Jamaican Jerk Festival against actor Leon. (Jamaicanjerkfestival.com image)

News Americas, QUEENS, NY, Fri. July 18, 2014: Chefs Max Hardy and Nelson Gason, two finalists from the Food Network series “Chopped,” are set to compete to see who can create best Jamaican jerk recipe at this year’s fourth Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival.

Hardy of Chef Max Designs competed on Chopped in January this year while Chef Gason of Full of Flavor catering competed last October.

The event is set for Sunday, July 20th at the Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, Queens, NY with festival co-founder Eddy Edwards stating that the park will be transformed into “a mecca of Jamaican food, music and culture.”

The competition between celebrity chefs has become one of the biggest attractions at the festival which will also feature a “kidz zone” and performances by top reggae artists Maxi Priest and Etana.

Last year, more than 16,000 people attend the festival including then-mayoral candidate, Bill de Blasio, who also participated in the cook-off and went head to head against actor, Leon.

Advance tickets are $30, available online at www.jerkfestivalny.com and gates will open at noon.