PAN 2025 finalist overcomes setbacks to advance

Confident, bold, and full of heart, food industry professional Moraine Thomas came to PAN Workshop 1 ready.

She participated in every activity, sold her sweet treats to fund her trip, and brought an irresistible energy that made her stand out. But behind the scenes, her road to victory was anything but smooth.

"A few days before the workshop, I changed my mind about entering. Then I reconsidered," she said. "On the morning of the workshop, my assistant called to say he had an emergency and couldn't make it. I was already at the venue when I got the call and I didn't know what to do."

With no plan in place, a complete stranger volunteered to help. Then, during the practical session, her grill malfunctioned, and her chicken fell onto the coal.

"I was frustrated, depressed, and felt like giving up. But I did the best that I could and I ended up being a winner," said Thomas. She took first place for St Mary, winning $50,000 and securing a spot in the CB Foods PAN 2025 Grand Finals, scheduled for Sunday, August 31 at Jamaica College in St Andrew. She cried openly with gratitude as she collected her cheque.

"I was just reflecting on the setbacks I faced today and how I almost didn't make it. I felt so overwhelmed, knowing how hard I worked to overcome those challenges. I'm really glad I listened to that little voice pushing me to go for it," said Thomas.

For Nicole Hall, commercial marketing manager at CB Foods, Thomas' story captures the spirit of PAN.

"Moraine showed up for herself in the most powerful way. Her energy was bold from the moment she walked in, and despite everything going wrong, she pushed through and gave it her all. I was genuinely happy when I heard her name being called. That's what PAN is all about, resilience, confidence, and showing up even when it's hard," she said.

Thomas' passion for food began at an early age, influenced by her parents' food business.

"I come from a cooking background, so it's in my blood. My mom is a baker, and I used to watch her closely in the kitchen while taking notes," Thomas shared.

After finishing studies at Buff Bay High School in Portland, where she majored in food and nutrition, Thomas studied Level 1 in food at the Buff Bay HEART Academy. She later improved her skills when she completed Levels 2 and 3. She is presently pursuing Level 4.

For the past nine years, she has operated Cherry's Pastries and Pop-Up Kitchen, where she blends her love for baking and pan chicken with catering services.

"About five years ago, I integrated pan chicken into the business. I've hosted several luncheons and pan chicken is always among the options. This is something that I enjoy doing," she said.

"It was my love for cooking that made me decide to enter the PAN chicken competition. I am a lover of street food and street food culture. I do my business right here in my community of Dover."

And if she is successful at the Grand Finals, Thomas plans to use the prize money to invest in her pastry business.

"I am working on my secret weapon to win. I am already working on what I plan to use to wow the judges because if I win, I want to buy some tools and equipment and get a bigger space to grow my food business," she said.

Thomas and 31 other finalists will compete in the finals, the winner taking home $1 million at the end of the event, which will be a celebration of food, talent, and Jamaican culture.