The Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (NDC) hosted the annual Caribbean Jerk Festival on the lawn of the Second Church in Codman Square last Saturday (July 26) with scores of residents taking in the best cuisine and music from the neighborhood.
From Murl’s Kitchen, Shantae Romain and Shi Roland.
For the uninitiated, “jerk” is a spice used in many Caribbean dishes, particularly Jamaican, that has a complicated, spicy mix of flavors used on chicken, pork, and vegetables.
The annual festival featured three of the top restaurants in the area – including Murl’s Kitchen, Island Style, and Raphael’s – all located in the Codman Square or Four Corners area.
Youth members pound out melodical rhythms on the steel drums, known as pans.
The afternoon was punctuated by a tremendous performance by the Branches Steel Pan Orchestra, an inter-generational group based out of Mattapan that has played worldwide. Whether it was the ‘Sound of Silence,’ or several other great hits, Branches entertained the crowds.
The festival was also sponsored by the United Way, Santander Bank, Bald Hill Builders, UMass Boston, and NeighborWorks.
From the CSNDC Naldo Cardoso, CEO Gail Lattimore, and Keyna Samuel.
Dorchester’s Barbara Mitchell (standing) hugging her cousin, Yvonne Day.
Branches founder Carl Smith leading the rhythmic charge on Saturday.
Enjoying jerk chicken, oxtail, and mac & cheese were Karla Gilliard, Annett McClanahan, and Aatiyah Paulding.
