Turn cornmeal made by George Slowley.

Twenty-two men cooked up a storm at Sunday's 10th staging of the annual Men who Cook event, held at Alpart Farms, Spur Tree Road in Manchester. And, just after 6 p.m., Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Christopher Tufton was voted favourite 'chef' by patrons after the votes were tallied.

From as early as 7 a.m., the venue was buzzing with preparation for the noon start and as the day wore on, hundreds visited the creatively arranged booths to satisfy their taste buds.

It was a family affair with adequate food and live entertainment from singer Ernie Smith, as well as Xanado Disco. There was also a fashion show and a play area for the children.

Tantalising food aromas filled the air and meals were picture perfect when served. Baron Hall Farm's John O. Minott's sweet and spicy smoked pork was a crowd favourite. George E. Slowley's turn cornmeal with a twist and spicy curry chicken were equally tasty.

Fish and festival

The Rural Agricultural Develpment Authority (RADA), booth where Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of agriculture and fisheries cooked up a bammy storm, was also kept busy by patrons.The RADA home economics department paired the bammies with tasty escoveitched fish.

Peter Downey's sprat with onion, pepper and carrot; Dr Peter Wellington's barbecue chicken; Newton Coote's roast suckling pig; Everol 'Blackie' Christian's shrimp in coconut sauce, as well as fish and festival, were prepared the Little Ochi style.

Former member of parliament, John Junor, one of the founders of the event, returned to serve his special tamarind jerk pork this year too.

Dr Tufton said he endorsed the efforts of the Lions Club of Mandeville in their quest to raise funds for charity. He attended the event to continue to sell the idea of 'eating what we grow and growing what we eat'.

Evrol 'Blackie' Christian placed second while Winston Lawson was third. M&A Construction of Spur Tree was voted the best booth.

President of the Lions Club of Mandeville Diana Tomlinson said Men who Cook 2009 was wonderful in spite of the echoes of the global recession. She was overwhelmed by the large turnout of patrons, cooks and the many sponsors.

Tomlinson noted that part of the proceeds from the event will go towards the refurbishing of the Dialysis Centre at the Mandeville Regional Hospital.

She said plans for next year's staging have started, as already the club has secured two sponsors who are ready to assist in making the 2010 staging bigger and better.

Sponsors include: Petcom Cookie Cooking Gas, Soft Sheen Carson, COK, Manchester Cooperative Credit Union and JIIC Insurance.

Newton Coote's suckling pig.

George Slowley's spicy curried chicken.

John O. Minott's Baron Hall Farm's sweet and spicy smoked pork. - Photos by George Henry/ Freelance Reporter

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Dr Christopher Tufton preparing bammies for the Men who Cook fund-raiser.

Shrimp prepared by Evrol 'Blackie' Christian, OD, of Little Ochie's booth.

Evrol 'Blackie' Christian's festival to be served with jerked fish.

John Ebanks of Grand Cayman deep-fries mahi-mahi.

Dr Peter Wellington's barbecue chicken.