by Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Nickisha Campbell (right) and her two children enjoyed delectable jerk chicken at CB Chicken's annual Pan Chicken Championship. The event took place on Knutsford Blvd, New Kingston, St. Andrew on Sunday, November 26. - Norman Grindley

The smell of jerk on an open fire, pulled persons out of the comfort of their cozy homes to risk the rain at finale of CB Chicken's Pan Chicken Championship.

Knutsford Boulevard was on lock down as chefs from western, central and eastern Jamaica competed to determine who made the best jerk in the island. With competitors such as Oliver Bailey, last year's winner from St Elizabeth, Rollington Gordon from Westmoreland, the famous Boston Jerk clan, and others, deciding on a winner would prove very difficult.

But the jerk lovers were out in full force and came with their friends and family, despite the drizzle.

The jerk wasn't the only draw as booths were set up by Lasco and Grace for free sampling. Otherwise there were persons selling jewellery, clothes, toys for the kids, sky juice and much more. With chicken for only a $100, some persons went from chef to chef trying all the best. The more 'expert tasters' recommended which ones were the best. The booths from Kingston and St Andrew, Clarendon, Boston Jerk and St Thomas seemed to pull the largest crowds.

After 1p.m., patrons scattered as the rain came down in torrents. Persons huddled under shelters, while some just continued walking, but no one went home as the pull of the chicken was too strong. One patron could be heard commenting, "why the rain haffi fall, last year was such a good turn-out".

However, comedians Ity and Fancy Cat kept spirits up, enticing persons to entertain themselves and the crowd by singing and dancing. The comedians' humourous banter brought chuckles from the remaining persons, while they debated wheter the price of the chicken had increased.

Although the turnout was not as strong as last year's, when the rain stopped many more persons could be seen coming in as the day appeared to turn out for the best. New arrivals quickly found a booth or two to purchase some jerk or festivals and breadfruit.

But, at the end of the day there could only be one expert jerker and that title went to Dorritte Brown from St Thomas. Judged on presentation, taste, cleanliness, among others, Brown proved herself a queen of the grill.

As the Star team left, persons were happily munching away awaiting performances from Noddy Virtue, Dance Xpressions and others. It was easily concluded that Jamaicans love their jerk.