Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival

July 19, 2015

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you, brothers and sisters. Are we having a good time?

Audience: Yes!

Mayor: This is one of the great events each year in this city. You would be a jerk to not go to the Jerk Festival, don’t you agree?

[Drum beat]

Mayor: Thank you, drummer.

Let’s take one quick second to thank a woman who has done so much for all people who descend from the islands of the Caribbean to make them a stronger part of this city and this nation – and I have had the honor most recently of naming her to the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York – Miss Una Clarke – let’s thank her!

[Applause]

Now, I want to give you a news flash. Two years ago, I competed in the jerk cook-off. At that time, I was told to make a pasta dish with jerk chicken. The dish I created has changed the culinary landscape. It was known at that time by the controversial title “Kingston Madness.” 

[Laughter]

And brothers and sisters, I won the contest in 2013 this time of year, and as a result, went on to win the mayoralty of New York City. It’s obviously connected. 

This year I was invited back. My challenge this time was to make a jerk chicken sandwich. Some people had decided I should have a boring title – I said no. This sandwich will by known as “The New York Swagga Sandwich.” Guess what happened with the New York Swagga Sandwich?

Audience: It won!

Mayor: Exactly! You can’t lose with a title like that.

So brothers and sisters, I want to thank everyone who makes this beautiful festival possible – Don Wehby, the CEO of Grace Kennedy Group; Patricia Chin, the founder of VP Records; Eddy Edwards, the CEO of the Jamaican Jerk Festival; June Minto, the director of the festival; all the people who are working on it. Let’s thank everyone who made this possible. Give a round of applause!

[Applause]

And our elected officials who are here, who serve us every day, let’s thank Public Advocate Tish James, Senator Leroy Comrie, and Council Member Daneek Miller. We thank them all. 

And I will close out by introducing to you a proud daughter of the Caribbean – just a generation or two removed, but still proud – who you also know as the First Lady of New York City – Chirlane McCray!

[Applause]

First Lady Chirlane McCray: Hello, my people! I love you!

Can I hear the [inaudible] in the house?

Oh, come on! You can do better than that!

[Cheers]

I admit I’m not hearing it.

Mayor: Wait a second – we’ve got to test this. Let’s just do a control model here. Can we hear from the Jamaicans?

[Cheers]

Okay, Bajans and Saint Lucians, you’re going to have to really work hard here. Chirlane, try again.

First Lady: Can I hear Bajans, Saint Lucians?

[Cheers]

Oh, okay, okay, okay. Well, I love you all. Thank you so much for being here today. 

Mayor: Enjoy – enjoy the show. Have a great day everyone!

[Applause]

[Cheers]