“It has always been my ultimate professional dream to own and operate my own restaurant,” shared 8 Spices Restaurant & Bar proprietor Melissa Dukharan last week Thursday evening as Table Talk Food Awards judges, sponsors and friends took their seats around the table. Many were visiting the establishment for the very first time.

“Having a passion for food, especially foods of different cuisines,” she continued, made it “difficult to choose one type… careful analysis of the market, however, saw a need to highlight our great Jamaican cuisine. This menu reflects a true Jamaican gastronomic experience.”Dukharan’s menu, by her own account, moves beyond the expected to a unique interpretation of “out of many, one pot,” so for example, instead of ackee and salt fish, there are ackee and salt fish spring rolls, which incorporate our Chinese culture. The menu is also infused with authentic Jamaican flavours, flavours that are often ignored, such as ginger and pimento. “We have used these flavours to ‘star’ our menu items such as our Sweet Scotch Bonnet Pasta or Pimento Crusted Cheese Sticks,” she explained.This naturally begs the question: what’s in a name? Lots, it would appear! The name “8 Spices” represents the eight authentic local spices used to create the establishment’s signature jerk marinade. These eight spices are also used in both the food and bar cocktails.The bar menu options are intriguing as well as the eight signature shots and eight signature cocktails are also inspired by Jamaican flavours, such as ‘Ludi’ – a blended cocktail which includes layers of coconut, pineapple, mango and rum.The ample menu options — from appetisers to soups, mains and desserts — are delivered in a laid-back Jamaican backyard setting complete with partially covered areas, open air and palm trees. The café lights complement the setting. Meals are served atop tables made from a drum. This, according to Dukharan, “is to highlight the creativity and simplicity of Jamaican cuisine… how a simple, old oil drum, a few pieces of pimento wood, can create the most appetising meal”.The seating capacity is currently 70 and can expand to 90. This would include utilising the centre lawn. The Jamaican 10 cent coin bar area accommodates six.