Think of a dining experience where the gentle murmur of the river or the soothing sound of waves provides the backdrop for a feast that transcends borders and blends cultures.

This is the world of The Weekend Routine, the brainchild of travel chef Carrie Wilson. A culinary artist who curates gastronomic adventures that fuse local cuisine with international flavours, creating unforgettable dining experiences that celebrate the diversity of the earth’s culinary heritage.

Each event orchestrated by Wilson is a unique exploration of themes that range from the exotic to the familiar, weaving together a tapestry of flavours that tell a story of cultural exchange and culinary innovation. Drawing inspiration from the rich food traditions of regions Wilson has visited or hopes to visit, the chef combines local ingredients and techniques with international influences, creating dishes that are both familiar and surprising.

Thursday Food checked in with Wilson for one such event recently at Tropical Bliss Beach in Montego Bay, where guests got the opportunity to indulge in seafood offerings with a mild infusion of Mexican cuisine.

“My pop-up kitchen series under The Weekend Routine brand revolves around culinary storytelling. Each event explores a unique theme, weaving together diverse flavours and cultural influences to create a memorable dining experience. I aim to surprise and delight guests with unexpected pairings while maintaining a strong connection to the roots of each dish,” Wilson explained.

“I started, in 2014, going to deep rural rivers and beaches and cooking at these locations in the river and I plan to travel and expand my knowledge about other cuisines and their culture surrounding food and rum, then eventually opening a restaurant. I really love farming, too, so it would be a farm-to-table restaurant,” Wilson added.

But it’s not just about the food; it’s also about the experience. Amid the joy of creating a multisensory and immersive dining experience, at the heart of it is the coming together that Wilson truly loves.

“I love authentic Jamaican cuisine, whilst introducing hints of international flavours from other cuisines and paying meticulous attention to presentation details. Food is harmony, and so I love to see my clients’ reactions of how overjoyed they are and filled with anticipation for a next experience with loved ones and friends. My love for cooking came from seeing how happy my mom was whenever she would start cooking Sunday dinner with her favourite music playing, and eventually how much togetherness and joy it brought at the dinner table with my family. So, I wanted to create that experience, too, for my guests,” Wilson added further.