Some Say Party – We Say Rave!

The Original Kind – No Hands in the Air, Please!

Ahhhh, the sophistication of a good Caribbean rave!

One thing's for sure, Caribbean people certainly know how to have a good time. And when I say a good time, I'm not talking about jumping up and down, waving your hands in the air or dancing as though you've completely lost control of your limbs!

Oh no! There's an art to a proper Caribbean rave, and believe me, it takes a certain level of sophistication. But first, let me take you back a little.

When Our Parents Had House Parties

Back in the day, our parents would host house parties. And when I say parties, I mean proper occasions! The house would be spotless, the furniture rearranged, the music ready and the food cooking away in the kitchen. The ladies would arrive beautifully dressed, the gentlemen looking equally sharp, and the atmosphere would be filled with laughter, conversation and good old-fashioned Caribbean music.

And us children?

Well, we were sent upstairs! "Unno go to you room! A big people t'ing dis!" That was that. No negotiation, no discussion, we knew our place! Of course, we'd hear the music, the laughter and the occasional burst of excitement coming from downstairs. And the delicious aromas drifting up from the kitchen certainly didn't make staying in our bedrooms any easier. But those were our parents' parties.

Then we grew up. And we had RAVES!

From House Parties to Raves – Our Generation Took Over!

Now, when our generation came of age, we didn't simply have parties.

Oh no! We had RAVES! The blues dance was the best! And let me tell you, there was a certain sophistication about a proper Caribbean rave. It wasn't just about turning up, having a drink and dancing the night away. There were standards to maintain! In fact, three essential ingredients made a Caribbean rave worth attending.

1. Dress to Impress!

First things first, you had to look the part! The ladies came dressed to impress, hair beautifully styled, outfits carefully chosen and everything coordinated. And the men? Equally sharp! Nobody was turning up looking like they'd just popped down to the corner shop for a pint of milk! A rave was an occasion, and you dressed accordingly.

2. The Music – Proper Old Skool!

Now, you couldn't have a rave without the right music. Reggae, lovers rock, soul, rare groove and those unforgettable old-school tunes that could keep you moving all night. The bass would be pumping, the atmosphere buzzing and everyone would be enjoying themselves. But here's the thing. Unlike what some people might imagine, when they hear the word "rave", we weren't necessarily jumping around with our hands in the air...

Oh no, the dancing had a more refined technique slow and steady... sophistication, and good thing too... i'll explain why...

3. THE FOOD – Now We're Talking!

This, my friends, was serious business! Because at a proper Caribbean rave, food wasn't simply something you put out for guests to nibble on. It was an EVENT in itself!

A few sandwiches, some crisps and a bowl of peanuts?

WHAAAAAT?!

Not at our raves! We went full on! And there was one dish that simply had to make an appearance.

CURRY GOAT AND WHITE RICE!

Now, notice I said WHITE rice. Not rice and peas! Don't get me wrong, rice and peas is the Don Daddy of Jamaican cuisine, but at many of our raves back then, curry goat with plain white rice was the order of the day. Served generously on paper plates, of course! And believe me, nobody was complaining.

The Sophisticated Art of Raving with Curry Goat in One Hand!

Now, here's the part that still makes me laugh. Picture the scene. The music is pumping, everybody's looking fabulous, the atmosphere is electric and you've just collected your plate of delicious curry goat and white rice. Naturally, your favourite tune comes on.

What do you do?

Stop dancing?

Absolutely NOT!

Put your plate down?

Are you mad?!

No, no, no!

This is where the true sophistication of a Caribbean rave comes into play. You hold your plate carefully in one hand, making absolutely certain that not a single grain of rice or drop of curry is going anywhere. Then, ever so gently, you begin to sway. A little movement to the left. A little movement to the right. A gentle shuffle of the feet. Perhaps a subtle roll of the shoulders. All perfectly timed to the music.

No hands in the air! We've got curry goat to protect!

And there you have it! The art of enjoying your music, your food and your rave, all at the same time. Now THAT takes skill! Because let's face it, dropping your curry goat in the middle of a rave would be nothing short of a national disaster!

More Than Just a Rave

But joking aside, those raves were about much more than music and food. They were about togetherness. Friends meeting friends, laughter filling the room, great conversations, wonderful music and the unmistakable aromas of Caribbean cooking. They were part of our culture, our identity and our way of celebrating life. And although times have changed, those memories remain.

For me, food has always been at the heart of Caribbean gatherings. It's how we welcome people, share our traditions and create memories that last a lifetime. And that's something I carry with me at Caribbean Takeaway. Our meals are inspired by the same love of authentic Caribbean cooking, traditional seasonings and wonderful flavours that have brought people together for generations.

So, the next time you're enjoying our Curry Mutton with rice, put on a little old-school reggae or lovers rock (Carroll Thompson, Jean Adebayo and Janet Kay), turn up the volume and have yourself a gentle sway.

But remember...

No jumping up and down!

No waving your hands in the air!

And whatever you do...

DON'T DROP THE CURRY GOAT!

That's how we do it, guys!

Good Food and Good Vibes!

Caribbean Takeaway