Taste of the Caribbean Event
On Saturday 12 September, we loaded our hired van with Jerk Centre sauces, our gazebo and everything else we needed for a day of trading. Then we set off from Lincolnshire for Taste of the Caribbean at Wimbledon Park.
The drive took more than three hours, so we knew it would be a long day before we had even opened the stall. Still, we were looking forward to bringing our sauces to a new crowd. Events give us a chance to meet people face to face, tell them the story behind Jerk Centre and hear what they think when they taste our products.
By the time our stand was ready, the bottles were lined up and the music began, we were glad to be there.
Sharing Jerk Centre With the Crowd
We met such a variety of people throughout the day. Visitors of all ages stopped at our stand, some already familiar with jerk sauce and others curious to find out more. Those conversations are one of our favourite parts of taking Jerk Centre to an event.
We enjoyed introducing people to our range, from Taste From the Ancestors Mild Hot and Duppy Conqueror Medium Hot to our fiery Badman Sauce. Yardie Drizzle brought something different to the table too, with its honey, lemon and chilli flavours.
We spent the day talking, sharing our sauces and helping people find the flavour that suited them. To everyone who stopped, tasted, chatted or bought a bottle: thank you. You kept us busy, and we sold our hearts out!
Music Across the Park
Taste of the Caribbean was about much more than the stalls. The live performances brought energy to the park and gave the whole day a celebratory feel.
Tribute acts performing the music of Bob Marley, UB40 and Sisqó were fantastic. Even while we were working behind the stand, we could enjoy the music and see how much the crowd was enjoying it too. It was lovely to be part of an event where people could come together for Caribbean food, music and a day out.
The turnout was strong, and the mix of visitors gave the event a welcoming atmosphere. We met people from all walks of life, young and old, and appreciated the kindness shown to us throughout the day.
The People Made the Day
We also enjoyed meeting the other vendors. Setting up and trading at an event takes a lot of work, and it was good to spend the day alongside people who had put just as much effort into bringing their businesses to Wimbledon.
The public were lovely too. Every conversation at our stand meant something to us, whether someone was discovering Jerk Centre for the first time or simply stopped to say hello. As a small business, getting that direct response to the sauces we make is valuable. It reminds us why we put so much care into them.
By the time we packed away, we were tired but grateful. We had met plenty of new people, made sales and experienced a lively event with some wonderful music.
A Long Day Behind the Stall
A festival stand takes work long before the first customer arrives. We had packed the van, travelled down from Lincolnshire, put up the gazebo and arranged our sauces so people could explore the range. At the end of the event, we had to pack it all away and make the long journey home.
In between, we spent the day on our feet, talking about the sauces we love making. It was tiring, but seeing people stop at the stand and take an interest in Jerk Centre made the effort feel worthwhile.
Days like this also help us learn. We get to hear people’s first impressions, answer their questions and see which flavours catch their attention. We took those conversations home with us, along with some good memories of Wimbledon.
Looking Back on the Day
We’re glad we took part in Taste of the Caribbean Wimbledon. It gave us the chance to introduce Jerk Centre to new customers, meet fellow traders and enjoy an event with a great crowd.
We’ve also had to think about what makes sense for us as a small business. With more than three hours of travel each way, van hire and the cost of the stall, it was a considerable commitment for one day. Although we enjoyed the event and made a profit, we’ve decided we won’t return to trade there again.
That doesn’t diminish the experience or the welcome we received. We’ll remember the people we met, the music we heard and everyone who supported Jerk Centre on the day.
Thank you, Wimbledon! If you discovered a new favourite at our stand—or missed us at the event—you can find our full range in the Jerk Centre online shop.
