PAN Finals debuts pork event

Make some space CB Chicken, Copperwood Pork is ready to fire up the 'PANs'.

For the first time, Jamaica's beloved PAN competition, powered by CB Foods, is adding a new category: PAN Pork with a cash prize of $750,000. On Sunday, August 31, at Jamaica College, six past PAN finalists will return to the spotlight, not for chicken glory, but to battle for the title of Jamaica's first-ever Copperwood PAN Pork Champion. It's a sizzling new twist on the country's most anticipated street food showdown, one that promises to bring a whole new vibe to the PAN stage.

The finalists are: Totlyn McDonald, the 2024 PAN Champion from St Thomas; Desrick Hamilton, 2017 PAN Wildcard 2017 from Kingston; Kevin Smith, 2024 second place PAN finisher from St Catherine; Damion Steel, the 2008 PAN Finalist from St Catherine; Lloyd Sterling, the 2005 PAN Finalist from Kingston; and Denton Gordon, 2019 PAN Finalist from St Ann.

Powered by Copperwood Pork, Jamaica's first locally branded pork, distributed by CB Foods, this milestone is more than just menu expansion - it's a celebration of quality, culture, and culinary innovation.

"Copperwood has been championing this initiative to give our past PAN chicken finalists a chance to show off their skills using Copperwood Pork, Jamaica's leaner, cleaner, and more tender option," said Nicole Hall, commercial marketing manager at CB Foods. "We're proud to be pushing this protein category forward and giving pork a place on the PAN stage. This one's for the real pork lovers."

The launch of PAN Pork isn't just timely, it's necessary. With jerk pork deeply rooted in Jamaican culture and Copperwood leading the 'Know Your Pork' movement since 2016, this moment marks a broader mission: to redefine pork as a trusted, everyday staple. Copperwood Pork is locally raised, hormone-free, and processed in a certified facility, offering high-quality pork that's versatile, protein-rich, and full of flavour.

"At CB Foods, we've always believed in creating opportunities for our people, and it's powerful to see our PAN vendors now showcasing another side of their talent through Copperwood Pork. Pork has long been a Jamaican favourite, and our vision is simple. Beside every PAN Chicken, we want to see a PAN Pork, adding value, flavour, and versatility to every menu," said Hall.

In addition to the $750,000, the winner also takes home a crown, six months supply of Copperwood Pork, Walkerswood seasonings, and other prizes.