Teachers, Joel McDonell and Grant Kennedy, partner to make some fine jams. Some are hot, some are savoury yet they are each delicious. Below Mr. McDonell answers questions.

Mr. McDonell: ?Grant and I initially talked about doing a small catering business together. With my keen interest and background in food and Grant?s background in bartending, hahaha we decided that this would be a successful venture.?

?One day around Christmas of last year, Grant asked me to try this jam that he had made. There had been an error on Grant?s part which surprisingly had improved his mate?s recipe. The winter time was spent making test batch after test batch to work out the colour and find ways to build on the flavours.We initially came up with three different heats and now we have five with a 6th on the way for the Christmas season. And this is how it all started... We started our search for identical or similar products look around shops on and off the Island. We asked friends and family to bring back jams and jellies from the US, Canada, and the Caribbean so that we could see how ours compared. To date, ours is the best for flavour and intensity by far.?

Mr. McDonell: ?If I had to describe myself I would say that I am a goal-orientated, lateral thinker with an infectious laugh who acts upon great ideas.

I would describe my partner, Grant, as a goal orientated individual with excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to make the best out of any situation. Also with an infectious laugh and great ideas.

Grant and I have a lot in common and we complement each others skills and personalities.

We are at our best when we make jam. All new ideas, long-term and short-term goals have come from what we call our ?jam sessions?. When nothing goes our way, we feel as though we are in a jam. We make jam! and sort it all out.?

Mr. McDowell: ?Grant and I have always enjoyed coming to St. George?s. It?s a great opportunity for us to get our product out there, and to get people to sample our Gombey ?Hot Pepper? Jams. In addition, locals and visitors get to know who we are and what we are all about.We also have got to know quite a few of the other vendors as well as some of the sponsors who have been really great making us new guys feel welcome. Grant and I know that if we have a slow night in St. George?s, most of those visitors will be back out in Hamilton on Wednesday to give us now a second look, and another opportunity to check out the Gombey ?Hot Pepper? Jam.?

Mr. McDowell: ?Yes we do. Our regular samplers and customers always stop by for a chat, and that gives us an opportunity to forge new relationships, receive feedback, tell them about new products, and find out what the latest use for the jam is. The wildest so far being vanilla ice cream. The best aspect about being a part of this community event is talking with people and seeing them go CRAZY for our jam. It?s great to see that.?

Mr. McDowell: ?The proof is in the jam. You need to come out and try it in order to really see how good it is!?