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| Jamaica, Cassava and the Global Food Crisis |
I thought it prudent this week to take a break from my food tour, and speak of a current subject that affects us all: the basic right to food. I am no economist, but we are all witnesses to the rising oil prices which are approaching record-breaking levels and which in turn affect the price of everything, provisions especially. Recently, our neighbour island Haiti suffered terrible food riots due to the 40 per cent increase in costs, making many go hungry.
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There's An Irish Rover at Drax Hall… |
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Thursday, May 08, 2008
It's a well-appointed one too, and there's been non-stop buzz about The Irish Rover located at Drax Hall since its soft opening on February 1, followed by the ever so grand launch on St Patrick's Day. "It's been an amazing two months," shares owner Winston Samuels, the man who, having spent an amazing 47 years in Ireland, has literally recreated the pub, and brick by brick too, since The Irish Rover is an authentic pub. "I spotted the land in 2006, during one of my regular trips back home, came back in March 2007, and started the building process in July of that same year. It all came together pretty quickly." It certainly did, including road signs and other paraphernalia. "I brought everything in," he states when we caught up with him late Sunday afternoon, rested after a busy Saturday and ready to go at it all over again. The pub opens seven days a week from 10:00 am until the last customer leaves. Truth be told, the pub's specs are somewhat bigger than the typical Irish ones, a result of Samuels wanting a much more spacious, airier feel for the pub. "We are, after all, in Jamaica," he states. We are indeed, but the mostly local patrons are as passionate about the lively Irish jigs (there are regular nightly sing-alongs) as they are the weekly live band, the Irish Rover Club Sandwich, the Irish Stew, Irish Rover Mixed Grill, Steak and Guinness and Shepherd's Pies. There are local and international staples as well as favourites like traditional fish and chips. "I really have to applaud my kitchen staff, and especially Charmaine, another returning resident, who've really had to pull out all the stops in the kitchen." The Irish Rover's open kitchen is the result of years spent in the army - "the army kitchen was always open and clean.I think it's very important for patrons to see just how their food is prepared and handled." It's been a rewarding but at the same time challenging two months for Samuels who was born in Linstead, moved to the United Kingdom, joined the army and met his second wife Angela in Belfast, Ireland where her family owned the much-acclaimed Trocaderos pub. Samuels would eventually leave the army and work in the music industry playing drums for the celebrated Jimmy Johnston's ShowBand. "I was the first black man to join in the ShowBand and I reckon I was too the first black man many persons in Ireland were seeing." That aside, the family pub is filling up and yes, there are children in the mix too. "It is," reminds Samuels, "a unique, non-smoking family experience and one that we're working on each day to ensure great customer service and good quality nosh."
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Rising Food Prices: Jamaica's Food Crisis |
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
As a wave of food-price inflation is navigating its way throughout the world, it seems as if talk of the world food crisis is everywhere you go these days. The chatter is not just limited to what is happening in countries like Haiti, Cameroon, and Bangladesh, as right here in Jamaica consumers are feeling the pinch in their pockets each time they visit local markets and supermarkets.
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GO-GO JUICE |
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
I recently took a four-day sojourn to the good old USA and got a bit carried away, as we often do, with their mega portions and enticing menus. I succeeded in packing away a ton of very heavy, unhealthy food and felt so grossly turned off upon my return that I decided to transform my diet and go completely healthy for one month. Feeling very eager to detoxify, I decided to increase the amount of vegetables in my diet, by starting my day with a glass of au natural raw vegetable juice blend. The minute the glass was poured, I took one look at the tall green beverage and went straight into my head, "Oh dear." but the minute the first sip hit my mouth I was instantly in heaven. The freshest, cleanest and purest taste went down like a dream and I felt light, clean and immediately healthy.
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New Sushi Spot In Town |
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
Just when the sullen faces of Restaurant Japan lovers started to become more melancholy over the temporary closing of the much-loved eatery, the restaurant's management decided to strike back with a fresh new idea - Katana Express at Kingston's Loshusan Supermarket. The 25-seater restaurant opened its doors just last week and is already dishing up offerings of all the favourite rolls from its sister franchise. Chef Michicko Asonuma and her husband Kaz are not alone in this new venture and have enlisted two private investors - Julie-Ann Jones Griffith and someone who is more of a household name, dancehall artiste Rodney Pryce aka Bounty Killer. That's right, you read correctly, Bounty loves sushi!
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Veggie wraps and Jello at Mac's |
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
With an increased emphasis on delicious yet healthy food alternatives. Mac's Gourmet Market has now introduced Jello and a vegetarian wrap at their locale.
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10 WAYS TO CUT YOUR SUPERMARKET BILL |
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
1. Grow provisions and vegetables in your backyard - it is not quite World War I, but planting a few items round back can help to reduce your food bill.
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