Oil Down competition will launch Spice Island Cultural Day
Gemma Raeburn-Baynes
On October 21, Le Manoir will be turned into an island beach cookout when the Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec stages its Official Launch and OIL DOWN FESTIVAL.
The event offers Grenadians and others who claim to make a good Oil Down, Grenada’s national dish, an opportunity to participate in Montreal’s first “Oil Down Competition, which comes with lots of prizes, a trophy and bragging rights for the winners.
Many say that St. Patrick’s cooks are the best; some say those who come out in Labaie, St. Andrew’s, could beat them. Leonard says he come from St. David’s and he could beat “all ah dem.”
It promises to be an exciting evening of food, music, entertainment, competition and good old fun with live performances by Doggies, Sugarman, Jenny Noel, and Delta Antoine. There will also be a parade of Young Hermitage Shortknees .
Of course, there’ll be an ample supply of Oil Down on sale as well as the introcution of Lambi Waters to wash it all down Tickets for the event , which now on sale will get guest a Spice Island Launch Celebration drink.
Three Grenadian D.Js: 20/20, Percy and Babu will supply the dancing music.
Oil Down is a delightful one-pot cook-up featuring breadfruit, callaloo, seasoned chicken, bananas, dumplings, salted pig’s tail and pig’s snout, pimento peppers, turmeric, and coconut milk. It’s all cooked together in an ample sized pot.
The water evaporates and leaves the coconut oil to mix in – hence the name Oil Down – the callaloo imparts a lovely spinach-like flavour. Then it’s shared – a big stewed pot of fabulous Grenadian flavours – the essence of communal cooking in this very friendly country. Oil Down is the pinnacle of Grenadian cuisine.
At the Oil Down Festival, we will also make a vegetarian/vegan oil down, so everybody can experience the “real Grenadian ting.”
The competition is open to all. There’s no registration fee, but all cooks must register before September 30 in order to participate. Those chosen to participate will be offered $125 to assist with the purchasing of their Oil Down ingredients. Each contestant must supply one pot of Oil Down to serve a minimum of 30 people.
All those wishing to take part in the Oil Down Cook-off are asked to contact Leonard at (514) 239-3434 or send an email to spiceislandday@gmail.com. You can also inbox our Facebook Page: Spice Island Cultural Day-Montreal. Don’t forget to like our page.
Oil Down Judges will be looking for the following 5 criteria: APPEARANCE, PRESENTATION AND ORIGINALITY, COMPOSITION INGREDIENTS, TEXTURE and TASTE.
Are you up for the challenge? Info: (514) 620-6612.
