Andrew Reid, the culinary maestro behind the Non-Such Reggae Jerk Centre in Cave Valley, St Ann, is making waves with his phenomenal pan chicken. For the past 15 years, Reid has been tantalizing the tastebuds of local residents with his mouth-watering offerings. His dedication and passion for good customer service have earned him the honor of second place at the PAN 2024 competition for the parish of St Ann.
Reid, along with his assistant Novlette Campbell, recently accepted a cheque from the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) assistant field supervisor, Devon Brown, in recognition of their achievement. The award was presented during the second workshop of the PAN 2024 competition held in Montego Bay, St James last month.
Reflecting on the cornerstone of his business, Reid remarked, “I am all about pleasing the customers. Some of them can be a bit disrespectful at times and hard to please, which can be the biggest challenge, but I always try to please them so that they can return. Customer service is a top priority for me.”
Before his rise to local fame, Reid began his pan chicken journey in Boro Bridge, St Ann. However, financial instability led him to pursue opportunities abroad, including the farm work program and stints as a lifeguard in several U.S. cities. “Things weren’t stable back then, so I decided to try out the farm work program. Doing pan chicken is something that I enjoy doing for a very long time. After three years, I returned to Jamaica where I started up my business, and it has been going well so far,” Reid shared.
Reid’s pan chicken business is not just a source of pride but a means of sustenance for his family. “This business is my hand and my foot. It provides for my two daughters and my grandchild,” he said, emphasizing the importance of his venture.
Excitement is brewing as Reid looks forward to showcasing his culinary prowess at the PAN 2024 Grand Finals, scheduled for August 25 at Independence Park in Black River, St Elizabeth. “I want to show people that I have the best pan chicken. I really would like to win one of the top three prizes. My aim is to open another pan chicken business and to provide employment for others. My chicken really stands out because of the texture and the taste, so I’m going in with a lot of confidence,” Reid stated with determination.
The PAN 2024 Grand Final promises an intense competition as top PAN Chicken chefs, including Reid, battle it out for the grand prize of $1 million, courtesy of CB Foods. The second and third-place winners will also be rewarded handsomely with cash prizes of $750,000 and $500,000, respectively.
Additional rewards come from PAN 2024 partners, including CB Chicken, National Baking Company, Red Stripe, JN Money, Walkerswood, and WISYNCO, adding to the incentive for the top cooks.
The event will feature 32 competitors, including wild cards from the parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, Portland, St Thomas, St Mary, St Ann, Trelawny, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, and Hanover. The stage is set for an epic culinary showdown to determine who has the best PAN Chicken in Jamaica.
Stay tuned as Andrew Reid and his fellow contestants bring their A-game to what promises to be an unforgettable culinary extravaganza.
