Proprietor of the catering company Love Farms VI, Angelica Carby, launches a series of cooking classes, “My Caribbean” April 7. The immersive and engaging gatherings will not only encompass the traditional recipes of key cultural dishes in the region, but will also include the historical backdrop of the islands and communities from which these recipes have come.
Carby, a native of Jamaica, has spent much of her life honing her culinary skillset. Her vast knowledge of culinary techniques extends past the Caribbean region, but she maintains that Caribbean cuisine is by far her most favorite meals to prepare.
The first installment of “My Caribbean” April 7, begins at 10am and will be centered around preparing traditional Jamaican jerk chicken. “I wanted to start this series off with my homeland of Jamaica,” Carby said. “Jerk seasoning has become a worldwide sensation in the culinary world, and yet in many instances that traditional recipe has been diluted,” she stated.
“Authenticity is important to me, especially when it comes to maintaining the integrity of our traditional Caribbean recipes,” says Carby. “Our cuisine in this region of the world has acted as a vehicle in preserving the stories of our people,” she added.
“There is a reason why certain spices are included in certain dishes,” Carby went on to say. “Various processes like cooking from a clay pot or jerking a piece of meat, preserves the flavor profile of the food that has played an invaluable role in creating the unique taste of the Caribbean,” she expressed.
She shared that during the class “participants will learn how to prepare the jerk sauce and how to properly season and cook the meat. We will also be exploring the story of jerk, how it started and how it has evolved with time.”
“These culinary classes are intended for all levels of expertise and are meant to be fun and engaging,” Carby stated. “I want people to leave feeling confident in their ability to prepare traditional Jamaican jerk chicken for their families and friends. This is how we preserve our culinary heritage and keep our stories moving forward,” she added.
Anyone who has questions, would like to reserve a space for the first installment of “My Caribbean,” or is interested in information about future classes can call 340-473-8238 or email lovefarms.vi27@gmail.com.
“For me, cooking is a like a prayer; it is done with love, always,” said Carby.
