St Elizabeth vendors prepare for Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival

The flavours of St Elizabeth will take centre stage when the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival returns to the parish, bringing together food lovers and local entrepreneurs in a celebration of Jamaican cuisine, culture and community.

Among the participating vendors are the Tracyann Hazel-led Tracy’s Restaurant and Nola’s Events, led by Floyd Plummer. Both businesses are working to rebuild following Hurricane Melissa, and their participation offers an opportunity to reconnect with customers, showcase their culinary offerings and regain momentum as they navigate the road to recovery.

Hazel’s passion for cooking was nurtured in Holland Bamboo, St Elizabeth, where she grew up watching her mother and uncles prepare meals and serve customers. Her mother established the family restaurant more than 25 years ago, earning a reputation for dishes such as curry goat and roti. Hazel joined the business at age 17, gaining practical experience in food preparation, kitchen management and customer service. Those early lessons strengthened her interest in the restaurant industry and inspired her plans to establish a new location under the name Tracy’s Restaurant, continuing the family’s culinary tradition.

Her plans, however, have been affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which damaged her home and business. Roofing was destroyed, while windows, appliances, utensils and furniture were also damaged, leaving her with considerable rebuilding costs. “We’re still in recovery mode following the hurricane. It’s not easy, but the work must go on,” Hazel shared.

Despite the setbacks, she remains determined to restore her business and continue serving customers. The festival provides an opportunity to introduce her food to a wider audience while drawing attention to the resilience of small businesses working to recover across St Elizabeth.

At the festival, the restaurant will serve Jamaican favourites, including curry goat, curry chicken, fried chicken, stew pork and brown stew fish, accompanied by roti, white rice or rice and peas. Mannish water will also feature on the menu. Hazel plans to welcome the first 10 customers with complimentary soup and an extra roti, adding a special touch to the festival experience.

A similar determination guides Floyd Plummer, who established Nola’s Events in Luana, St Elizabeth, in August 2021 amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Built around food, hospitality and memorable experiences, the family-oriented business developed into a welcoming venue where customers could enjoy meals, celebrate milestones and gather with loved ones.

In addition to dining, Nola’s Events hosted birthday celebrations, weddings, marriage proposals, romantic dinners and other special occasions, as well as offering event décor services. Its lounge became the centre of these activities, complemented by a jerk centre and ice cream shop that broadened the business’s appeal.

Hurricane Melissa severely disrupted those operations, completely destroying the lounge that housed the main dining and entertainment area. The jerk centre and ice cream shop also sustained substantial damage, forcing Plummer to scale back operations while working towards recovery.

Although progress has been gradual, the business has begun restoring its operations. The jerk centre and ice cream shop have reopened, and outdoor dining is available while restoration of the main dining area continues. Plummer and his team are also looking towards the return of karaoke nights, games nights, and other family entertainment experiences that helped distinguish the venue.

At the festival, Nola’s Events will serve jerked chicken, jerked pork, jerk sausage, jerk chicken pasta, jerk pork pasta, wings, chicken sandwiches, vegetable pasta, mannish water and sweet-and-sour tofu. Participation provides an opportunity for Plummer to reconnect with existing customers, reach new patrons, and demonstrate the business’s continued commitment to serving its community.

“We are truly honoured and grateful to be part of the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival, particularly at a time when businesses across St Elizabeth are working to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa,” he shared.

Food vendors

Joining Tracy’s Restaurant and Nola’s Events will be a diverse line-up of food vendors, including Bad Dawg New Kingston, Bramble Villa, Jack Sprat Restaurant & Bar, Lovers’ Leap, Chok’s Express, Flamin’ Wok, Gina’s Bakehouse & Catering, Grego’s Seafood Bar & Grill Ltd, Mama Earth Vegan Restaurant, Yea Mon Peppa Shrimp, Murray’s Fish and Jerk Hut, and CB Pan Chicken.

Alongside the festival’s tastings and pairings, patrons can look forward to an array of Jamaican favourites, international flavours and creative culinary offerings that celebrate the variety and talent within the local food scene.

The festival’s return carries added significance for entrepreneurs still recovering from the hurricane’s impact. Festival director Jason Henzell underscored the importance of creating opportunities for local businesses, particularly those rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“The festival has always been about celebrating the people and culture that make Treasure Beach and St Elizabeth special. As our communities continue to recover, providing a platform for local vendors to showcase their products, reconnect with customers and generate business is especially important. We are proud to welcome these entrepreneurs and to play a part in supporting their continued journey towards recovery,” he said.

The event offers an avenue to generate income, increase business visibility and strengthen customer relationships while highlighting the contribution of small enterprises to St Elizabeth’s tourism and economic activity.

Hazel is also hopeful that the festival will encourage more visitors to explore Treasure Beach and surrounding communities, creating further opportunities for local businesses.

Though their culinary offerings and business concepts differ, Hazel and Plummer share a determination to rebuild and continue pursuing their ambitions. Their participation reflects the perseverance of St Elizabeth’s entrepreneurs and the importance of supporting local businesses as they work to restore their livelihoods.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com