Celebration of Caribbean Foods June 2013

June is National Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Experience a taste of the Islands! 

Enjoy special menus, distinctive Caribbean dishes and discounts at participating restaurants.  

Vote for your favorite restaurants and dishes.   

Learn about Caribbean foods, drinks & history.

30+ participating Restaurants & Markets

TASTE – COOK – LEARN- LAUGH

Contact:     Doreen Thompson, 202-723-8711, ncaffa2010@gmail.com

 Sponsors:

National Caribbean-American Food & Foodways Alliance (NCAFFA/Caribbean Food Alliance), Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce Inc. – Greater Washington Area Network (CACCI-GWAN), Caribbean Professionals Network (CPN), Georgia Avenue Business Alliance (GABA), Georgia Avenue Development Task Force, Maryland Governor’s Commission on Caribbean Affairs, Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs (MACCCA),  and Sweet Mango Cafe

 JUNE 2013 EVENTS

Grilling with Caribbean Spices, Wednesday, June 12 – 6-7:00 pm, Bazaar Spices at Union Market,  1309 5th St NE, Washington DC, http://www.bazaarspices.com The Islands of the Caribbean are known for their precious spices, such as nutmeg, mace and cloves from Grenada (often referred to as the Spice Island), ginger, pimento and sorrel from Jamaica, etc. Waves of migration to the Caribbean have also added to this profusion. Join Bazaar Spices at Union Market in welcoming Doreen Thompson, Founder of the Caribbean Food Alliance as she introduces us to the spices most often used in Caribbean cooking, particularly spices used to enhance your summer grilling experience. Come celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month with Bazaar Spices and check out this exciting event! History of Jerk, Thursday, June 20, 7-9 pm, Sweet Mango Café, known for their “world famous jerk chicken”, 3701 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC, 202-726-2646 Most Americans were introduced to Jerk in the last two decades.  Are you aware that this is a centuries old foodway or that the well-known African-American author, Zora Neale Hurston, participated and wrote about a jerking hunt on the islands in 1930’s.  Have you wondered about the origin of the name?  Is it related to jerky?  What is the history behind this method of preparing meats?  Come out to this lively discussion and leave with added knowledge and know-how about the contributions to “jerking” by two significant immigrant groups to the Caribbean.. Participants:  Reginald James, Co-Founder/Owner, Sweet Mango Cafe (known for their “world famous jerk chicken”), and  Doreen Thompson, Founder, Caribbean Food Alliance (NCAFFA), Member, Culinary Historians of Washington (CHOW) Introduction to Ital Cooking (Rastafarian Vegetarian), Friday, June 21,  7-9 pm, Sweet Mango Café, 3701 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC, 202-726-2646 The history of Caribbean Foods often leaves out the contributions of the Rastafarians, who have been a cultural force in the Caribbean for decades. Most of us recognize their influences –dread locks, the signature red, gold and green berets and of course music and Bob Marley’s contributions.  However, they have had a significant impact on Caribbean foods through their emphasis on vegetarian cooking. Participants:  Misty Brown, Poet, Creole-Vegetarian Caterer,   Reginald James, Rastafarian, & co-founder/owner, Sweet Mango   History of Caribbean Foods with cookbook authors: Dorel Callender, A Caribbean Mom’s Table Traditional Recipes for the 21st Century & Beyond (Jamaica & Grenada), Marie-Louise Jean and Barbara Christophe, The Art & Soul of Haitian Cooking, Saturday, June 22 at 2:30 – 4 30pm,  Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC,  202-234-4755 Introduction to Traditional Trinidadian Breakfast & Folklore – Sunday, June 23, 11 am-4 pm  (Performance 1-2 pm), Crown Bakery 5409 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC, 202-291-3009 Celebration of Caribbean-American Culture & Foods, Friday, June 28th,  4-8 pm, Petworth Community Market,  Georgia Avenue – Taylor & Upshur Like us on Facebook.