Culinary magicians put the "Jerk" in Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival

At the heart of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival is the world-renowned, mouthwatering taste of authentic jerk foods. That's where the loyal and talented culinary magicians come in. Preparing everything from the traditional jerk chicken and jerk pork to the more exotic jerk ribs and jerk lobster and the most curious jerk item, the jerk ice cream – these vendors put the "jerk" in the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival.

Some of these vendors tell us what they have in store this year and weigh in on the festival and its 10-year milestone:

Joseph Smith of D & J Feeding Tree who's been preparing jerk delights for the festival from the start says, "The 10th anniversary supposed to be a success. It will be well attended and it will be good! He says, "I keep going back because we have to support our Jamaicans and I get some business from it." Smith has sells tickets for the event every year he says.

Blossom Levy of B' Café & Grill says she's been selling at the festival for years. "It's gonna be great! One of the main reasons I go is to get exposure for my business. She says when you come to her booth you will get, "great food, great presentation – ice carving, food carving... and I want to carve something about the festival to enhance the presentation of my booth. My booth will be looking exceptional this year. I'm going all out!" She plans to serve up some delightful shrimp and lobster – something new on her menu.

Devon Morrison of Freddie's Jerk says his booth will feature "excellent food ... jerk pork, jerk ribs, festival ..." Morrison has been cooking at the festival from the beginning he says, and he is most proud of his jerk chicken. "I've been jerking chicken since 1982. I use the jerk seasoning and secret sauces that give it that authentic taste. All the customers tell me they love the special sauce." He says this year will have "bigger crowds. I expect this year to be a good year, even with the tough economy."

Harry Sinclair of Truck Stop would like to congratulate the promoters of the Grace Jamaican jerk Festival on reaching a grand milestone of a 10th anniversary. "We have been a part of the event from the beginning and have seen it grow into one of the premiere events happening in our area. He explained, "We are planning something very special for all of the patrons which we don't yet want to reveal, but we will definitely be bringing back all of our signature items. One of which is our lobster, which has been a fan favorite over the years."

Roxie Sharpe of Taste Buds Creations is bringing the "light stuff" -- fresh fruits like melon, pineapples, sugarcane, and jack apple to refresh patrons. This will make Roxie's seventh year vending at the event. "As a Caribbean [national] ... a Jamaican ... if something is going on, it's our responsibility to participate. It is our thing, so we should be a part of it."

He plans to make his booth extra special for the 10th anniversary. He will "Carve fruit, watermelons with the name of the event ... We present everything we can find ... because it's not just Jamaicans coming to the events. It's a bigger stage. Everybody's coming, so we have to represent nicely"

As for the 10th anniversary milestone, he says, "For 10 years. A good ting that man. Anything to stick around for 10 years, it's an accomplishment, especially in this economy ... But you have to get it bigger and better every year. Hope they can continue." Visit www.jerkfestival.com for more details