Finalists revealed for the second UK Caribbean Food Awards 2024

The UK Caribbean Food Awards, in partnership with Deliveroo and KERB is back for 2024 and set to take place on Monday, 9th December 2024 at iconic venue The Clapham Grand in London, celebrating the vibrant flavours, unique culinary artistry, and exceptional talent that define Caribbean cuisine across the UK.

The prestigious awards, founded by Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett, mark one of the most anticipated food events of the year. They offer a platform to honour the best Caribbean restaurants in over twenty unique categories across the UK.

Whether a restaurateur, food entrepreneur, or devoted Caribbean food enthusiast, now is the chance to recognise the Caribbean food establishments and individuals who are pushing boundaries and elevating Caribbean cuisine.

An incredible 51 nominees have been shortlisted for the 2024 awards, ranging from Best Takeaway, sponsored by Deliveroo, to Best Street Food Trader, sponsored by KERB, and the most sought-after award, Best Caribbean Restaurant of the Year.

Check out a snapshot of who is in with the chance of victory in this year’s UK Caribbean Food Awards shortlist 2024. Please see the full 2024 shortlist here.

Finalists of ‘Best Caribbean Restaurant of the Year’

• Soul Chef Kitchen from Deal, Kent
• Limin from Southbank, London
• June Plum Caribbean from Wellingborough, Northampton
• Cumming Up from Lewisham, London

Finalists of ‘Best Takeaway’ sponsored by Deliveroo

• Jerkbox from Luton
• May 10 from London
• James Williams Diners from High Wycombe

The finalists of the coveted ‘Best Caribbean Takeaway’ award category – sponsored by Deliveroo – went head to head in a cook-off competition hosted at one of delivery app’s Editions Kitchens in London. The finalist restaurateurs prepared popular dishes from their menu for a panel of judges, including the award co-founders Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett, Jackson McLarty, founder of Black Eats LDN, and Oke Omoniyi, a food content creator from Deliveroo, with the winner to be announced at the awards ceremony event in December.

Finalists of ‘Best Street Food Trader’ sponsored by KERB

• Mahalia’s Kitchen from Somerset
• Back a Yard Jamaican Cuisine from Nottingham
• Soul Chef Kitchen from Deal, Kent.
• Twerk ‘n’ Jerk from Ilford, London

Outstanding Chef of the Year

• Antoin Morrison from Blazin Soul Kitchen
• Chrissie Ranx from The Caribbean Kitchen
• Dexter Thomas from Soul Chef Kitchen

Media Personality of the Year

• Levi Roots
• Rustie Lee
• Ainsley Harriott, MBE
• April Jackson

Best Caribbean Cook Book / Author

• Levi Roots (multiple titles)
• Original Flava: Caribbean Recipes from Home by Shaun & Craig Mcnuff
• Kin: Caribbean Recipes for the Modern Kitchen by Marie Mitchell
• Plentiful: Vegan Jamaican Recipes to Repeat by Denai Moore

Best Supermarket For Caribbean Food

• Tesco
• Sainsbury’s
• Asda

Best Sauces and Seasonings

• Home from Home Flavours
• Flava Packs
• Datties Soul Food Academy

Caribbean Food Festival of the Year

• Taste of the Caribbean Food & Drinks Festival
• Notting Hill Carnival
• Black Eats London

The winners will be announced on Monday 9th December 2024, offering the UK a line-up of top-tier contenders in Caribbean businesses.

Attending The Event
Tickets are now available via Eventbrite for the awards ceremony on Monday, December 9th, at The Clapham Grand. This unforgettable evening will feature live entertainment, cultural performances, and an incredible showcase of Caribbean food.

Along with some exciting special celebrity guests, expect a red carpet welcome drinks reception with the tropical beats of steelpan musicians. A host’s welcome speech will be followed by a delicious Caribbean dinner, charity raffle, and entertainment before the winners are announced. Like all great awards, the event will be followed by an after-party with a DJ and luxury goody bags to take away.

Dawn Burton, Co-Founder & Director of UK Caribbean Food Awards, said: “We could not be more excited that UK Caribbean Food Awards is back for 2024 and are delighted to be making it happen with the support of Deliveroo and KERB.

The awards are all about bringing together the black-owned businesses that bring the Caribbean to life across the UK, giving them a national stage to be celebrated. Good luck to all nominees – we can’t wait to celebrate the best of the best in Caribbean cuisine with you!”

Clem Richards, Client Partner and Black in Roo ERG Partner lead at Deliveroo said: “We’re so proud to be supporting the UK Caribbean Food Awards, celebrating the black-owned Caribbean restaurants that are the beating heart of so many communities.

We’ve seen a 31% year-on-year increase in demand for Caribbean cuisine on the app and it is a category we are excited to further grow in London and beyond, bringing an even more diverse selection of incredible Caribbean cuisine to our customers. Wishing all of the incredible finalists the best of luck!”

Priya Narain, Purpose and Culture Manager at KERB: “We’re proud to be supporting the UK Caribbean Food Awards this year and judging the street food category. We’ve worked with many incredible independent Caribbean food businesses in the capital over the past thirteen years, and we’ve been extremely impressed by the quality of the finalists this year. We can’t wait to unveil this year’s winner at The Clapham Grand in December!”

The UK Caribbean Food Awards founders Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett are also the founders of The Caribbean Food Collective, which connects, promotes, and supports UK-based Caribbean Food & Drink businesses and is a voice for the UK-based Caribbean Food & Drink sector.