Cave Valley resident ready to serve up his best jerk

For 26-year-old Cave Valley, St Ann resident Jermaine Thompson, the smiles on the faces of customers who purchase pan chicken at Non Such Reggae Jerk Centre serve as the motivating factor in his daily routine.

"When I see people enjoying the meal that I have prepared, hearing their comments and seeing the reaction, the smiles on their faces, it motivates me to continue working hard," Thompson said.

Born in Clarendon, Thompson relocated to the garden parish because of a job opportunity.

"A friend introduced me to the owners of the jerk centre and along the way, one of their workers stopped coming to work. So I went in and tried it out and I got the job. And since then, I have been doing jerk chicken and the customers keep coming back," he said.

A certified Level II chef, Thompson decided to enter PAN 2019. At last month's Regional 1 held at Folly Oval in Portland, he finished in second place for St Ann.

Prior to a career in food, Thompson worked on a farm in Clarendon.

"I used to help my cousin on his farm raising chickens and cultivating yam. After that, I went to Knox Skills Training Centre (HEART) where I studied food preparation. Once I got certified as a chef, I decided that I would fully pursue a career in food," said Thompson.

Thompson is gearing up to deliver his best at the grand final of PAN 2019, which takes place on October 27 at Grizzly's Plantation in St Ann.

"I am now more confident than before, and basically I am fully prepared to take on the competition. I know what to do and I am coming better prepared," he said confidently.