Thursday Food checked in for some food and updates with Megel “Yammie” Clarke, at one of our favourite food spots when driving west. Yes, the spot still doesn’t have a name, but on reaching Carey Park in Trelawny, the well-positioned steel drum on the main road with smoke rising is the telltale sign that you’ve reached the spot.

Clarke has been offering roasted ground provisions for about 25 years and, as he says, he has no intention of letting up.

“When I checked around Jamaica, I saw persons doing cow foot, roast pork and rice and peas. So, I had the idea that persons would like some other options, and roast yam came to mind. I’ve been doing this about 25 years now. I started as a teenager in Rio Bueno, but the cutting of the highway caused me to switch to Carey Park. I will never stop, as I think people like that natural food and it’s a good, authentic Jamaican flavour,” Clarke reasoned.

The yam is sourced in a southern part of Trelawny, commonly referred to as “Top Trelawny” (areas such as Ulster Spring, Burnt Hill, Albert Town); this of course is yam country.

“I buy my yams in Top Trelawny and I roast every yam, whether yellow yam, white yam, as long as it name yam it a get roast inna fyah, cause people need it. I roast everything, still enuh: Cocoa, dasheen, breadfruit and sweet potato. The yam goes fast, so we must have a replacement. All that is put with chicken liver, roast pork, roast chicken, steamed cabbage, callaloo, salt fish, salt mackerel and ackee and salt fish” Clarke added.

Clarke also spoke of his expansion plans and the move into a new spot across the street for better customer service.

“The move to across the road is a progress and a blessing. It will be a better environment for the community. I’m trying to set the thing official, proper restrooms, persons can stop and enjoy the meal. It will have the dining area and we’re getting the bar up so persons can have a drink,” Clarke stated.

— Text & photos by Aceion Cunningham

Editor’s Note: Call ahead and ask for Marva @876- 346-5898 or her son Tata 876-831-9039.

They are open Sunday-Sunday from 10:00 am to 9:00pm