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Montego Bay (Jamaica)
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Bread
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
320kcal
6gProtein
52gCarbs
12gFat
2gFibre
150 gServing
* Per serving · 150 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Festival
How to order / say it
Say it
Festival — [Fest-i-val]
Order
I'll take a Festival, please.
Locally
Mi will tek a Festival, please.
Say locally
Sweet fried dumplings made from cornmeal.
Why try it?
Festival is more than just a side dish in Montego Bay; it's a beloved part of beach and street food culture. Often paired with fish, it encapsulates the sweet and savory duality that defines Jamaican cuisine.
How it tastes
Festival is slightly sweet and crispy on the outside, with a soft and doughy inside. It's aromatic with hints of vanilla and often eaten warm.
Origin & History — first documented: 1950
Festival originated in coastal regions in the mid-20th century, as Jamaican cooks created a sweet complement to spicy dishes like Jerk Chicken and Escovitch Fish. It quickly became indispensable in Montego Bay's culinary scene.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 150 g cornmeal
- 🌾 150 g all-purpose flour
- 🍯 2 tbsp sugar
- 🌾 1 tbsp baking powder
- 🧂 1 tsp salt
- 🥛 120 ml milk
- 🍯 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 🫒 200 ml oil
Method
- 1 Mix dry ingredients, add milk and vanilla.
- 2 Knead into a dough, then shape.
- 3 Fry until golden brown on all sides.
More from Montego Bay
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Jerk Chicken
Jurk Chick-en
Spicily marinated and grilled chicken.
© Wikimedia Commons
Bread
Vegan
Bammy
Bam-ee
Flatbread made from cassava root.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Escovitch Fish
Es-kuh-vitch Fish
Fried fish topped with a tangy pepper sauce.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Run Down
Run-down
Salt fish simmered in coconut milk sauce.