"Jerk it up" - The advice of Caribbean Chef Hasan DeFour today, in regards to our cooking, on the first day of Caribbean Food Week.

With twelve medals in the bag, a celebration of 50 years of independence and a sports team that has attracted more attention than any other of its kind in history, this summer has firmly put Jamaica on the map. And with Grenada winning their first ever medal and Trinidad taking home a gold too, the Caribbean has become the buzz word of this summer.

But its about more than the sport - Caribbean culture has been gaining momentum in Britain for years, and Caribbean food in particular has become more popular by 20% just in the last year. Curried goat, jerk chicken or salt fish - these are just a few of the traditional dishes that us Brits now sing the praises of.

So how better to celebrate the Caribbean, in all of its culinary glory, than the launch of the UK's first ever 'Caribbean Food Week'.

Chef Hasan DeFour, Trinidad local and Caribbean chef extraordinaire, told us all a little more about this week, and the cooking he hopes it will inspire.

As a man clearly passionate about the subject, Hasan stressed the importance of 'jerking it up' - mixing up your usual diet and injecting a little bit of spice. Why not swap your traditional Sunday roast for some roast jerk chicken - nothing more complicated than rubbing some seasoning into some chicken and bunging it in the oven? Or marinating some duck for a deliciously tender duck curry?

Grace Foods UK in the number one Caribbean food supplier, helping exotic cooking and eating become accessible to the masses. Hasan praised them for really pushing his food and his culture in the right direction - and inspiring the rest of us to try something new.

So get involved - there is a host of delicious recipes on the website, suggested by Hasan himself: www.facebook.com/caribbeanfoodweek

Follow the Caribbean culinary movement at @caribbeanfoodwk , and let us know about any recipes you try out for yourself!