By Kandre McDonald, Freelance Writer

Nadine Sutherland, 1979 winner of the competition performed at the launch of Tastee Talent Trail 2007. - Winston Sill

Three months of total excitement is what the newly-branded Tastee Talent Trail promises. Formerly, the Tastee Talent Competition, organisers of the event saw it fit to change the format of the 27-year running contest.

At the launch of the event at the Grog Shoppe, Devon House, Kingston last Thursday, Director of Tastee Jamaica Limited, Robert Chang outlined that not only the name of the contest will be altered but also its format. According to Chang, the competition will stay true to its original platform of showcasing Jamaica's talent, however, there will be minor changes aimed at enhancing the contest.

One such change involves the broadcast of auditions, the semi-finals and the finals on CVM television, and a local newspaper will also have features on the semi-finalists. While the finals will remain free to the public, its location has been changed to the Mas Camp Village, Oxford Road.

Many a young talent was exposed courtesy of the contest. However, the likes of 11-year-old Nadine Sutherland at the inception of the competition in 1979 would not stand a chance in the newly launched competition. An age limit has now been imposed and contestants must be 16 years and older to compete.

A change that the contestants will undoubtedly enjoy is the increased prize package. The winner will receive a one-million dollar prize package, which includes a recording contract with Penthouse Records, while the runner-up will receive $250,000 and a trophy.

Past winners

As a reminder of the success of the competition, pictures of many of its past winners who have gone on to enjoy lucrative careers were plastered on a beautifully-decorated zinc fence that acted as the stage backdrop. These include Yellow Man, Beenie Man, Nadine Sutherland, Mr. Vegas, TOK, Papa San, Cobra, and others.

The venue was nicely decorated in red, green and gold. Stalls, carts and bicycles, among several other ornaments were used to enhance the venue. The media frolicked among themselves as several past Tastee contestants entertained them.

If the mood, vibe, and energy at the launch are anything to go by, the 2007 season of the new Tastee Talent Trail should be a blast.