A Burton business is in the running for a national title at the UK Caribbean Food Awards 2025, which take place on Monday 24 November.
Datties Soul Food, founded by Burtonian Monica Holton, has been named a finalist in the Best Seasoning category. They will go head to head against Jamaica Valley and Flavapacks in what promises to be a tight contest.
Founded in 2023 by Dawn Burton and Marsha Barnett, the UK Caribbean Food Awards are the only dedicated platform in the UK celebrating Caribbean food and drink. They honour the full range of talent, from restaurants and street food vendors to chefs, caterers and media figures.
Monica Holton’s journey began early. From childhood memories of helping in the kitchen with dumplings, flour and salt, to launching Datties while on maternity leave in 2011, she built the business with her family in tribute to her mother, “Ms Dat”. Her mother’s strength and warmth shaped both the recipes and the spirit behind the food.
Today, Datties has supplied over 1,000,000+ dishes carrying forward the flavours of Jamaica and of Black British cuisine, blending heritage, family and cultural pride. Their signature jerk chicken and wings, with a bold jerk rub, spicy rice, coleslaw and spicy herb garnish, is among the dishes earning acclaim.
Datties’ seasoning line, SEASONED, can now be found in more than 600 Greene King venues across the UK. Locally, blends are stocked in Burton shops including Pak Foods on Derby Road, PAK Continental Food Store on Napier Street, Fresh N Save at Anglesey Business Park and PAK & Kashmir Food Store on Waterloo Street. Customers can also buy from MoJam Afro Caribbean Grocery in Smethwick and Mr Khans Authentic Jamaican Food Store in Birmingham.
Closer to home, Datties serves from Burton Market Hall, offering dishes such as curried mutton, Caribbean chicken, mac and cheese, rice, fried dumplings and homemade slaw. Their £20 Friday platter has become a local favourite, and the business also provides professional catering for private functions, corporate events, festivals and fayres.
I am so humbled that someone, somewhere has taken the time to nominate us, whoever you are heaven bless you 🫶🏾. – Monica Holton
This year’s UK Caribbean Food Awards night will include a red carpet arrival from 6pm, a welcome drinks reception, live entertainment, a Caribbean buffet dinner, an awards ceremony across 20 categories, a charity raffle in support of the UKCFA 2025 Charity Partner and an after party.
The Burton community will be watching with pride as Datties Soul Food goes head to head with national brands for the title of Best Seasoning.
