Jamaican culinary superstar Levi Roots of Dragons’ Den fame picked up the Best New Product award at the inaugural World Food Awards on Saturday 31st October at London’s Hilton Park Lane. The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts including celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriott and Anjum Anand who were among those present to honour the best in the world food sector.

The World Food Awards 2009 (WFA) celebrates the best in the world food sector across the UK and Europe and marks the significant contribution of this rapidly growing sector. The awards ceremony was broadcast on Sony Entertainment Television Asia in over 100 countries. It showcased ex-Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton, Indian Idol 4 winner Sourabhee and finalist Kapil Thapa, and classic pop trio The Real Thing.

Roots, the singing chef, is a Jamaican reggae musician, chef, and entrepreneur who now lives in London. He gained widespread fame after appearing on the UK television program Dragon’s Den. His Reggae reggae sauce is a jerk barbecue sauce made following his grandmother’s secret recipe. Sold and marketed at the annual Notting Hill carnival since 1991, it is now available throughout the UK through Sainsbury supermarkets.

Roots had this to say about his award: “Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with anybody else…this is for every man that focused enough on his dream.”

The World Foods Association (WFA) is the trade body which represents the interests of UK companies operating in the ethnic foodservice markets. Members of the WFA include retailers, wholesalers, food service, manufacturers, importers and consultants. The organisation prides itself on its ability to garner information and knowledge from the sector as a whole and use this insight to provide practical advice for the benefit of all members. It provides a unique platform for exchanging views and enables members to work together to create joint value in the market. The WFA also aims to supports its members through advice on legislation and issues that affect industry and through education and networking events.

The WFA’s mission is to bring together the world food market and become the leading voice of the UK ethnic food industry for the mutual benefit of all members – from food manufacturers to importers alike.

Visit www.worldfoodawards.com for more details.

In September 2009, Kingston 11 Cafe played host to Rohan Marley, one of Bob Marley’s sons.

Rohan was in Vancouver promoting Marley Coffee and while being interviewed on radio had mentioned he would like to find a place during his stay that served authentic Jamaican food.

A listener called in and suggested he try Kingston 11 Cafe in North Vancouver, a few hours later, Prince Rowe, owner and chef of the restaurant was cooking up a delicious fish salad for Rohan.

Rohan Marley declared it the best Jamaican food he had eaten in 20 years and reminded him of his Grandmother’s cooking. Rohan has eaten in Jamaican restaurants in Montreal, Toronto and LA and has never had more authentic Jamaican food than at Kingston 11 Cafe.

No small praise from the son of Reggae icon Bob Marley. Check out the photos below!

In 1972, Prince learned the art of seasoning. Pinch & dash method. Since then he hasn’t stopped.

The very first time I smelled my grandmothers cooking, I thought I was in heaven.
My mother left Jamaica to seek better life for us in Canada. There were five of us, my sister and I lived with my uncle in Kingston 10, my two brothers and other sister lived with grandmother in Kingston 11. Later we joined them, that’s when I realized cooking is an art.

When grandmother was cooking, I stayed by her side from morning till night. There’s no measuring, no fancy labelling. She just pinch and dash and food tasted like a dream you never want to wake up from. Until one day I asked her if I could cook. At age of five, it didn’t come as surprise since many Jamaican men learn around that age to cook. My first dish I cooked was ackee and saltfish. Since that day, I’ve been using the pinch & dash method in everyday cooking at Kingston 11 reggae café.

Eat till yu belly buss.