Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

  Toronto Caribbean Carnival Kicks Off  with HOT  HOT HOT Launch Event everybody loved Olivia Unedited news story by sweir: Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square came alive on a scorching hot day as the 56th Caribbean Carnival was officially launched on Tuesday. The vibrant atmosphere was filled with excitement as approximately 2,000 enthusiastic audience members gathered to celebrate the rich Caribbean culture. The event took place at Toronto City Hall, where a jampacked list of speakers and performers graced the outdoor stage. The ceremony was hosted by CTV Nathan Downer and CP24's Jessica Smith, who successfully wrangled the line-up of speakers. Among them was Jennifer Hirleheym, the new Chair of the Festival Management Committee, who kicked off the proceedings with an extensive review of the exciting changes and improvements for this year's festival. "We pride ourselves in creating a welcoming, safe environment for this shared celebration of Caribbean culture," Hir

For Caribbean Foodies Carnival Food Comes in 25 Flavours (and counting) Freedom Mas photo from Facebook By Stephen Weir  For the stripped down version of the 2021 Toronto Caribbean Carnival the timing is turning out be perfect.  Just as the Province begins relaxing the restrictions on dine-in restaurants, outdoor patios and purchasing take-out meals, The Festival Management Committee, has soft-launched a new Carnival food festival  -- Carnival Flavours -- that runs throughout the month of July. “ Earn points every time you order and you could win weekly Carnival Flavours prize packs!” explains the carnival's event website ( https://www.torontocarnival.ca/carnivalflavours ).  Carnival Flavours  is a brand new project for the 2021 Carnival and is dedicated to bringing the best in Caribbean food in  Toronto ,  Brampton  and  Whitby  to hungry Toronto Caribbean Carnival foodies.   Be it in a popular resto, or dinner on a patio or meals delivered by DoorDash, the month of July is all ab

Birthright Programme Brings Jamaican Canadians Back Home For A Month Students will visit JA cultural sites - Coke Methodist Church By Stephen Weir Jamaica’s Grace Kennedy Company is once again offering 2nd and 3rd generation Jamaicans who have never actually lived in Jamaica the opportunity to spend a month next summer in the homeland. Every year four Jamaican Canadian university students are brought back to the island to learn about their heritage through Grace Kennedy’s Jamaican Birthright Program (JPB). “The GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme is a cultural and professional internship geared at highlighting all aspects of Jamaican life while furthering the career goals of the selected candidates,” explains Petronilla Marchan, a JPB assistant here in Canada. “It is a programme that will give students a well-rounded Jamaican experience!” JPB provides round-trip transportation, accommodation, a stipend and an internship in Jamaica. The students will be on th

Cooking Up A Storm At The 2018 Toronto Junior Carnival By Stephen Weir / photographs by Anthony Berot  Children raise your spatulas. Get ready for the competition that will determine Canada’s top junior jerk chef! Grace Foods has put out the call for youngsters between the ages of 9 and 15 to don aprons and enter their annual Junior Chef Culinary Competition.  There is a total of  $1,500 in prize money waiting to be won! “This is a really great experience for kids who have a love of food,” said Prize coordinator  Petronilla Marchan. “This is all about learning how to create tasty dishes using nourishing Caribbean ingredients. “ The Jamaican food company says that it wants to provide a platform for aspiring young foodies to demonstrate their culinary skills and to promote a passion for healthy eating. “This contest is open to everyone,” continued Ms. Marchan. “You don’t have to be Caribbean to cook with jerk.” Grace Food has set up a website (www.juniorchef.ca) where a