Thursday Food catches up with chef Marco Pierre White ahead of his arrival in Kingston, Jamaica as the special guest of the 12th annual Jamaica Observer Food Awards.

On Jamaica

“I am Jamaica’s number one fan in the world,” states an upbeat Marco Pierre White as Thursday Food runs through his final itinerary. “There is no place else that welcomes you the way the people of Jamaica do… I must also make mention of my friends the Stewart family who always show my family and me incredible hospitality.”

On our food

It’s the simplicity coupled with the authenticity of the food that I love in Jamaica — a chicken patty, for example, coconut water with the jelly. I crave the shrimps and lobster from the fishermen of Fisherman’s Bay.

The Master Class & Seminar

I look forward to the interaction and to the Q&A segment at the Foodie seminar.

At the Awards

I want to join the exhibitors at their booths and taste their offerings as well as stir up a pot or two.

A bit more on the enfant terrible of the culinary world… Marco Pierre White

Marco’s latest project, ITV1 show Kitchen Burnout (airs in the UK on Fridays at 9:00 pm on ITV1), sees 12 celebrities compete under Marco’s watchful eye to cook dinner for 25 diners each.

Each week one contestant is sent packing and there are lots of tears along the way.