Sample the UKs finest jerk at cookout festival in Croydon this month.

Now in its seventh year this is the first time the  Jerk Cookout and Cultural Foods  event has come to Croydon. The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 people and takes place on July 29 in Wandle Park from 12 until 7pm.

The family fun day includes candy dance and salsa with appearances from Japan’s Megumi playing Ska and Reggae and comedian Donna Spence who will be hosting the event.

This is a chance to taste the best in  jerk, vegetarian and cultural food. There will also be local art crafts, world music and a food competition with judges  including the shadow Home Secretary  Diane Abbott MP,  Broad Greens The Big Local and Croydon police.

The aim of the event said organiser Tony Fairweather is: “To show London that Croydon is a wonderful place to live and work and to  showcase the best foods and local charities.”

Tony added: “Our aim is to include local and national guests and Croydon charities will benefit from the event.  The Jerk Cookout will create employment and well being in the Broad Green and Croydon community, and a ‘must see’ attitude from our international tourists. “

The event will also raise funds for Croydon charities including: The Big Local, African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, Mums The Chef, Croydon Best Start, BME, Lucy Rayner Foundation and for sickle cell anaemia.

*Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica, in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated. The meat is normally, but not limited to, chicken or pork, and the main ingredients of the spicy jerk marinade sauce are allspice known as ‘pimento’ in Jamaica and ‘scotch bonnet’ peppers.