Celebrity chef Brad Turner is a quick convert to The Rock’s cuisine. “I love the jerk pork,” the New Orleans native told Thursday Life of his trip to Scotchie’s. Visiting the island for a two-day culinary showcase hosted last week by the new food event outfit, Savour Jamaica, Turner is playing catch-up with us as he oversees dinner preparations with local students in the kitchen for a rooftop dinner at the University of Technology’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Friday last.

Is jerk his fave Jamaican food? Not quite. “It’s everything they put in front of me,” he admits.

Currently resident in Washington DC, where he is raising his children, Turner is a retired army man who was the star of Grill Sergeant, a Department of Defence lifestyle show. “I have been told by a few of the students that the show is seen here on local TV. I did it while I was still on active duty for three years. Now it’s on the Internet and all over the place.”

The gregarious chef, wont to break out in song (he did several mean Luther Vandross reinterpretations at cocktail hour and during dinner) is pleased as he reflects upon his storied culinary career in the army.

“I actually worked every area,” Turner revealed in his Southern drawl. “From cooking for troops in the field, all the way to the Pentagon, so in 20 years I went from a private to sergeant first-class and I cooked for everybody to include two secretaries of the Army and other dignitaries. It’s been a good ride.”

We share scenes from Turner’s six-course Savour Jamaica dinner paired with wine selctions from J Wray and Nephew.

(Photos: Lionel Rookwood)

7602

Celebrity chef Brad Turner pours Appleton V/X into the banana sauce being made by second-year food service management student Chauntoi Perkins.

7623

Germain Richards (right), UTech first-year food service management student, listens intently as Chef Turner offers advice on the roast chicken preparation.

7635

Celebrity chef Brad Turner.

7648

Savour Jamaica founder April Jackson (right) and Chef Brad Turner shared Thursday Life lens time with Karlene Dennis (left), brand manager at Copperwood, and Chesna Haber, brand manager at Pernod Ricard and whiskey.

7659

Graphic designer Dwayne Jureidini and food and beverage consultant Kimberley Mullings enjoy sips of soco-tini.

7660

Lee’s Food Fair directors Patrick Lee (left) and Paul Lee (second left) listen in as Chef Brad Turner (second left) offers a preview of the night’s menu. Sharing in the moment is Turner’s agent Bernard Carter.

7674

Out at dinner were Sagicor Insurance Brokers staffer Nagina Newman and her beau Donovan Wignal, logistics consultant at Mairtrans International Logistics.

7685

Chef Turner (left) took turns at the microphone with Mellow Groove band members Andres Lopes (centre) and Warren Harris.

7697

Teary-eyed Savour Jamaica founder April Jackson was over the moon when her dad Philip Jackson surprised her by jetting in from England for last Friday’s event.

7719

Soco-tini — the evening’s signature cocktail — made with the J Wray and Nephew-distributed Southern Comfort.

7724

LIME Project coordinator Malika Ford (left) and her sister Donna Marie Ford, fresh foods buyer at PriceSmart.

7728

Dream Entertainment marketing director Ron Burke tries out the Southern Comfort-infused Soco-tini cocktail made by J Wray and Nephew mixologist Jody Ann Johnson.

7730

Chef Brad Turner assembles food service management students (from left:) Jermain Richards, Jodi-Ann Lewis, Analka Gunzarles, Kenroy Kentish and Aniece Chang.

7740

New Orleans Seafood Gumbo

7759

Lobster and shrimp Étouffée served with Le Rosé de Mouton Cadet

7785

Red beans with smoked pork and sausage served with Apothic Red.

7813

Savour Jamaica event coordinator Tatum Turner styled in a ruched Rachel Pally dress and Jimmy Choo stilettos.

7819

Pulled goat and callaloo with braised turnips.

7823

Chef Brad’s ‘Complete Southern Comfort’ – roast chicken with mashed potatoes, green beans and pan gravy, served with Moët Ice Imperial.

7828

National Commercial Bank analyst Kerry Ann Nembhard watches as her boyfriend Leon Stewart, assistant manager at Trade Winds, tucks into his roast chicken.

7853

Bread pudding with a banana sauce, caramelised sauce and fried ripe plantains served with Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro.