A traditional Jamaican dish — Festival is the island’s sweet cornmeal dumpling, golden-fried and slightly crisp outside with a tender, faintly sweet crumb. Its name promises a party in the mouth, and it delivers, especially alongside jerk chicken or fried fish. These little batons are street-food royalty, sold warm in brown paper bags across Kingston.
Festival
A traditional Jamaican dish — Festival is the island’s sweet cornmeal dumpling, golden-fried and slightly crisp outside with a tender, faintly sweet crumb.

Step by stepInstructions
- Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
- Add the milk and vanilla, and mix into a soft, slightly sticky dough, adding a splash more milk if needed.
- Knead lightly for 1 minute on a floured surface, then shape the dough into small cylinders about 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) long, tapering the ends.
- Heat 1 inch (2.5 cm) of oil in a skillet over medium heat until a scrap of dough sizzles gently on contact.
- Fry the festivals in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, turning often, until puffed and deep golden all over, then drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm with jerk chicken, fried fish or escovitch fish.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Do not fry at too high a heat, or the outside browns before the inside cooks. The dough should be soft but shapeable — overworking it makes festivals tough.

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