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When the smoke cleared at PAN 2024 Grand Finals, Kevin Smith stood proud, goosebumps rising, as he claimed second place.

It wasn't luck. It was 20 years of experience, unwavering faith, and one powerful word that guided him: consistency. With a deep belief in proper food hygiene, excellent customer service, and delivering quality with every plate, Smith's performance was more than a win, it was the story of a self-made chef who turned a pandemic setback into a thriving culinary brand.

"The best thing I've learned in my entire food career is to stay consistent, stick to proper health and hygiene standards, serve quality food, and deliver great customer service," said Smith, now the proud owner of two restaurants in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Smith's culinary journey started at Spanish Town High School and eventually led him to roles at Chung's Catering, Fusion Foods, and Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, where he served as head chef for five years. After leaving Ribbiz, he went overseas but returned to Jamaica during the pandemic, where he encountered difficulties in finding a job.

"I couldn't find a job, so I did what I knew best," he recalled. "I rented a shop, sold Bad Dawg two days a week. Then I added a jerk pan and started selling pan chicken, and that's how Kevin's Kitchen was born."

From there, his passion began to take shape. And in 2024, with confidence, he entered the CB Foods PAN Chicken Competition.

"I'd been watching PAN for years, but I only wanted to enter when I knew I was ready. I prayed that morning and left it all in God's hands," he said. "When I heard my name for second place, I felt proud. It was a true feeling of accomplishment."

Today, Smith has expanded with his second venture, Kevin's Food Village in Sydenham, Spanish Town, employing a small team and serving a growing, loyal customer base.

"Business has been booming. There's real demand in this area, and the community has been incredibly supportive."

Reflecting on the journey, Smith credits PAN 2024 for much of his recent growth and success

"My life has changed a lot since the competition. I've landed numerous catering opportunities, I've opened a second restaurant, and overall, things have just gotten better. I want to thank God, the CB Foods family, and my former employers at Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, including Ribbie Chung, Kamal Bankay, and Don Creary, for all the encouragement and opportunities they've given me," he said.

Smith was also quick to highlight the value of the PAN workshops that CB Foods introduced as part of PAN 2024.

"The workshops were extremely informative, and I've been applying the knowledge I gained directly into my business. I even used the marketing tips to promote Kevin's Kitchen and now supply two BPOs weekly with meals for their staff," he shared.

Smith's story is a reminder of what PAN is truly about: transformation through opportunity. Like many past participants, Kevin turned the platform into progress, proof that with consistency and courage, great things can happen.

The journey continues at the PAN 2025 Finals, where 32 finalists will compete for the top title on August 31 at Jamaica College in St Andrew.