Countdown to the 27th staging of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards
Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records
Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge Kadean Vendryes begins her review series of Marketplace restaurants, leading with Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records.
Overview
There is no other gastronomic hub on the entire island of Jamaica like the Marketplace, situated on 2.8 acres at 67 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10, St Andrew. Now in its 20th year of operation, Marketplace continues to hold its superior position as an iconic culinary landmark and bucket-list destination for locals and visitors alike. Its convenient accessibility from two of Kingston’s busiest thoroughfares — Constant Spring Road and Red Hills Road — is unrivalled.
Established by the late business mogul Derrick Mahfood as Kingston’s first culinary enclave, today Marketplace is the home of 11 restaurants, one mini bar, two speciality stores and a fresh meat supermarket operated by CB Foods. This week’s focus will be on Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records.
Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records
Fifteen years ago, Jamaica’s legendary sprinter Usain Bolt, now Dr Usain Bolt, OJ, was invited by the KLE Group Limited to be a part of their vision for Tracks and Records and he kindly lent his name. “And 15 years later we’re still standing here. It just shows you with vision, opportunity, and working together what you can create,” said David Shirley, chairman KLE Group Limited, in a recent Instagram post. Shirley further stated, “We’ve had our ups and downs but we have to be resilient, especially in COVID when people came to me and said lock it down, Chairman. I said no, we have to fight, just like how Usain fight when people say give it up, yuh nah go be the greatest!” The Tracks and Records chair ended his short celebratory IG post reiterating, “So we think, we nah give up! So Jamaica first and we just gwaan build what we have to build right! Happy Anniversary, 15 years Tracks and Records! Jamaica to di world every time! Bless Up.”
Tracks and Records is a highly sought-after spot for many reasons: Its authentic Caribbean cuisine like jerk chicken and jerk pork, extensive menu offerings, including Bolt-inspired burgers, a sports bar celebrating the life and achievements of the world’s fastest man, a lounge featuring high-definition screens, a gift shop with exclusive merchandise, birthday club with discounts and daily opening hours from 11:30 am until midnight.
On Saturday, April 18th around 10:30 pm I took advantage of the late opening hours and walked in for dessert. I was greeted by a very pleasant hostess who offered me a seat on the upper floor and notified me that my server Shanika Williams, would be with me shortly. Shanika appeared promptly, provided fantastic customer service and my dessert – Heavenly Bread Pudding Surprise. It was a very huge serving of warm bread pudding and vanilla ice cream that could easily feed a few. I indulged in enough to my heart’s desire while enjoying the warm aromatic flavours of mixed spices in the bread pudding and boxed the remainder of the bread pudding to go. The cost of the dessert was $1,300 plus tax. I will return in the coming days to continue another review of a complete meal with appetiser, entrée and to participate in the 15th anniversary promotions. Hopefully, I will be a lucky winner!
Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records
Website: www.tracksandrecords.com
Instagram: ubtandr
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ubtandr
Order Online: webmenu.visueats.com/124
Telephone: 876-906-3903/876-926-7875
The prominent pylon sign at 67 Constant Spring Road serves as a glowing directory for Marketplace.(Photo: Kadean Vendryes)
The updated entrance at Tracks & Records features new signage commemorating its 15-year anniversary.(Photo: Kadean Vendryes)