Island Outpost’s marketing rep Terri Kay James works through her meal deal with such precision that Thursday Food is forced to ask about this obvious passion. As she unwraps her corn, Terri-Kay explains just how much she missed KFC during her two years in Italy so, in order to make up for it she now eats it every day. As if reading our minds (she has a model figure) James immediately adds that even those “watching their derrières can eat healthily from the KFC menu”.

There’s a loud chuckle from the rest of the group. Sandra Williams shares her own experience. Many still recognise her as the other half of that well-loved Kentucky fried chicken couple. She was at that time Sandra Horatio Nelson and her on screen husband was Howard Martin.

Williams’ KFC journey started in 1989 when casting took place for the plum role. “We were” she explains, “down to six females and four males. They were looking for persons who looked as natural as possible. Nobody spoke in the ad. All the emotions were transmitted through various emotions. The Mongoose Production would last some two-three years, and in the process turned the duo into veritable celebrities.”

Williams, although no longer a daily part of our television diet, still enjoys KFC’s thigh and wing. “The original works for me simply because KFC has to be eaten with the fingers and I like the fact that it’s not greasy.”

Michael and Jackie Edwards recall the Friday evening chicken treats. “My mum would take us to Tops as it was then called (adjacent to where the Old State Theatre used to be) and later to the Old Hope Road KFC location. As children we would marvel at how ‘cool’ the place was. Everywhere was so clean. The food was fresh and came very quickly.” And today, just like their parents, Jackie and Michael’s two children Zachary and Gabrielle enjoy the occasional Friday evening at KFC. Jackie opts for spicy or bar-b-cue wings, Michael goes for the original or barbecue breast and the children dip chicken nuggets into teriyaki sauce.

Jacquie Sinclair, a food stylist in Paris, is in Jamaica on vacation – she has her own KFC tale. “As a child living in the United Kingdom, my parents would not allow me to go near a fast food outlet. When the family moved back to Jamaica, I was 10 years old and to my surprise and pleasure was taken to KFC located then at Old Hope Road”. Jacquie who has just turned thirty and has travelled the world is still convinced that Jamaica has the best-tasting KFC meals. “My first piece of chicken was the KFC breast (original) and as you can see I still enjoy it today along of course with pate de foie gras!”

There’s now peals of laughter and all heads are now turned towards Charlene Rose. Her KFC memory is priceless. ” I remember my first box of chicken; it was so delicious that I put the bones (I was in public) in the bag, took them home and chewed them to my heart’s content.” As we watch her getting down into her chicken leg we can well imagine the original scene.

Arlene Brown’s mother got sick and tired of cooking the traditional Saturday soup and this, according to Brown, is how her KFC journey started. Brown who is now 31, recalls just the cleanliness of the environment. “The staff was so friendly. The food was delicious I remember the corn. It was for us a family affair”.

As our friends at KFC reminisce as they approach the big 30, they can rest assured that many persons out there are doing the exact same thing.

KFC tidbits

Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ) opened its first KFC restaurant, following the granting of a franchise by Hueblein International for the company to operate a KFC restaurant in Jamaica. This despite the fact that there was another operation in Jamaica called “Tops” that had four restaurants that sold KFC products. Those restaurants were eventually bought, refurbished or rebuilt and opened as new Restaurants of Jamaica-run KFC operations.

Owners of the Jamaican franchise were Anthony and Lorna Myers.

Restaurants of Jamaica opened its first KFC Restaurant at 170 Old Hope Road-converting an old residential building into a restaurant that met the international franchiser’s specifications, and giving Jamaicans their first drive-through restaurant.

The KFC restaurant on Howard Cooke Boulevard in Montego Bay was in 2000, rated as the second-highest volume KFC restaurant in the world.