Set Your Tastebuds Ablaze With The Vibrant Cuisine Of The Caribbean Islands

Allow us to talk you through some dishes you must try at this Saturday’s Taste and Liquors’ Jerk Festival.

Jamaica’s food, music and culture make it the driving force of the Caribbean. Much of our inspiration and many of their ingredients have inspired us – Taste and Liquor – to create a foodie festival like no other. On Saturday 10 August, Digbeth we’ll gear up to celebrate the taste of the Caribbean alongside eight pioneering pop-up food shacks.  

Caribbean cuisine is a blend of African, Amerindian, European, East Indian, Arab and Chinese influences. While each island will have its particularities, most street food vendors say that some 80 per cent of all Caribbean cooking is centred on Jamaica – its heavy emphasis on jerks and marinades seems to be reflected in most recent UK street-food openings.

However one is making massive sunset waves in the scene and we’re delighted to have them – and their converted caravan – on board. We warmly welcome Virgo Bar whose very own Jamaican – halal – cuisine has its own Holy Trinity of ingredients – Scotch bonnet peppers, spring onions and fresh thyme – to present their family’s Jerk Chicken served-up with a light refreshing salad and hard dough bread, perfect to scoop out any leftover gravy.  This dish also comes in a wrap with rustic kettle chips.

Their authentic Jamaican recipes have been replicated here using ingredients, such as wild cinnamon and tamarind, pimento leaf (like a spicy bay leaf), pepper elder – a hillside vine with an incomparable flavour and cayenne-like bird peppers in both their vegan curry and meat stews.

Indulge in their rich deep Mutton Curry which requires slow-cooking in strong spices to tenderise – this Jamaican classic is a taste sensation but what stands out for us is their Vegan Curry, made with a soya and maize meat alternative and both served with some home-style rice and peas.

Remember, Birmingham first Jerk Festival is soul food, so take your time trying out dishes all day, arrive early, soak up the vibe and choose dishes to warm up your heart, belly and head.

Taste and Liquor’s Jerk Festival is Birmingham’s first Caribbean Smoke and Fire Festival, at Quantum in Digbeth.

Doors open from 12pm. Family Friendly and Wheerchair accessible. Vegan, Vegetarian and Halal dishes (made on separate drum pans) also available, please ask the traders on the day. For more infomation click here.