Medicine and Meals: Between serving as deputy chairwoman of Irvine Hall and pursuing a medical degree, Rhaveen Kildare creates efficient meals. Her room serves as a study sanctuary and cooking space, showing that busy medical students can maintain home-cooked comfort.

Her lunch demonstrates this: Brown stew chicken made with The Best Dressed Chicken breast, alongside yam, green bananas, pressed plantain, and pumpkin. “One of my favourite meals,” she says. “The breasts are versatile and cook quickly — plus I get good carbs from the ground provisions.”

Rhaveen has developed her own rhythm. “Fresh cooking daily keeps meals exciting and prevents waste,” she notes. “I make simple dishes like chicken sandwiches or tenders that keep me going.”

Her commitment to health remains steady. “I focus on more vegetables and lighter cooking methods,” she says, gesturing to her plate. This balance reflects her medical training’s precision.

From early morning breakfasts to late-night study sessions, The Best Dressed Chicken has become an essential part of campus life for these UWI students. Their stories show that with the right ingredients and a dash of creativity, any hall room can become a space for both academic and foodie success.

Tips & Tricks

Hall cooking can be delicious and budget-friendly! Keep it simple with these tips:

Frozen Assets: The Best Dressed Chicken’s individually frozen parts are a hall chef’s game-changer! Thaw only what you need, such as a single chicken breast for a stir-fry or a few thighs for a flavourful stew. This minimises waste and keeps your freezer stocked with protein options.

One-Pot Wonders: Embrace one-pot meals like noodle upgrades (add vegetables and protein!), macaroni cheese enhancements, or chilli. These meals minimise clean-up.

Microwave Magic: Beyond popcorn, your microwave can cook eggs, porridge, and even mug cakes! Search online for microwave-specific recipes.

Storage Solutions: Keep ingredients fresh with airtight containers, and use your mini-fridge space efficiently. Consider using reusable bags for snacks.

Flavour Boosters: Key spices, herbs, and sauces can elevate simple dishes. Think: Garlic powder, onion powder, chilli flakes, soy sauce, and hot sauce.

Prepare ingredients in advance, like chopping vegetables, to make cooking during busy weeks easier.

Clean as You Go: Small space, big mess. Wipe down surfaces and wash dishes immediately after use to avoid clutter and maintain hygiene.

Community Cooking: Collaborate with floormates for shared meals or ingredient swaps. This can save money and introduce you to new recipes.