NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – The first annual Jamaican patty eating contest will be held in Brooklyn on Sunday as a part of the Labour Day celebrations.
Brooklyn New York Borough President Eric L Adams said the event will be held in partnership with Golden Krust and the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) in expanding “Brooklyn’s celebration of Caribbean culture and highlight one of New York City’s most popular street foods”.
Jamaican patties are turnover-style pastries, developed after the introduction of the Cornish pasty to the Caribbean from England in the colonial era, with a variety of fillings that are typically spicy in nature.
The most popular varieties are ground beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable.
On average 54.8 million Jamaican patties are consumed from Golden Krust every year.
“The Jamaican patty is to Labour Day what the hot dog is to the Fourth of July, and it’s time that this staple of New York City street food culture has a top-flight competition of its very own,” Adams said.
“I am proud to host the first annual Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill National Jamaican Patty Eating Contest, partnering with the small business that has elevated the patty to the heights of the Big Apple itself,” he added.
“Experiencing Caribbean culture on Labour Day weekend, one of the most vibrant elements of Brooklyn’s diversity, deserves a celebration of all the senses and sensations that make this community one-of-a-kind, including our proud culinary tradition,” Adams continued. “This is one Brooklyn battle you won’t want to miss!”
He said the first patty eating contest will be held as part of WIADCA’s Dimanche Gras.
Dimanche Gras will also feature the Kings and Queens of the Bands costume competition, as well as musical performances by Caribbean legends such as The Mighty Sparrow.
These festivities serve as the preamble to the West Indian American Day Carnival on Labour Day on Monday, which brings millions of people to Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn for what many consider the city’s largest parade.
“Golden Krust is proud to partner with Borough President Adams and WIADCA for the first annual Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill Jamaican Patty Eating Contest,” said Jamaican-born Lowell Hawthorne, CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill.
“We are privileged to be able to work with such a distinct group of individuals who will ensure this event is a success,” he added.
“Brooklyn is home to almost 30 Golden Krust restaurants, and we are sure this contest will be enjoyable for all.”
Adams said he will select at random 10 competitors for the first annual Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill National Jamaican Patty Eating Contest.
He said whoever consumes the most Jamaican patties in a five-minute period will be declared the winner and will receive a trophy and Golden Krust gift certificate.
