This July, the Jamaica Tourist Board will once again celebrate Jamaican cuisine with its premier food festival, Jamaica Spice, a one-day celebration showcasing all that Jamaica has to offer local and international Epicureans.

The main highlights of Jamaica Spice will be the exhibition of traditional gourmet, processed foods, and delights that originate in Jamaica and are produced locally. Close to fifty exhibitors are expected to showcase their products including coffee, chutneys, meats, juices, rums & liqueurs, arts & crafts, fruits and candy. Lively cooking demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day by exhibitors, restaurateurs and local media personalities. There will be displays of contemporary Jamaican food products prepared by culinary experts which will be available for sale and public sampling.

Additionally, there will be a Chef Cook-Off where chefs from local restaurants and small hotels will face-off in the kitchen. Armed only with a basket of groceries which they have just been handed, the chefs will be asked to create a new dish or an old dish with an exciting new twist. "My Granny's Potato Pudding" contest will showcase the best of potato pudding from grandmothers' kitchens all over Jamaica. The puddings will be judged and the winning grandma will be announced at the Festival.

A Kid s Fun Zone and "Baking Corner" will allow children to create their own cookies, muffins, and other treats and enjoy games, face painting and much more.

The Performing Arts will come alive with entertainment provided by Bare Essentials, Kingston Comprehensive Drummers, L ACADCO Dancers, the Humming Bird Steel Band, and many other exciting activities that will be sure to provide fun for all ages.

For more information on Jamaica, contact the Jamaica Tourist Board site, or the location nearest you: New York (212) 856-9727, Chicago (312) 527-1296, Miami (305) 665-0557 or Los Angeles (213) 384-1123. You can also e-mail the JTB at jamaicatrv@aol.com .