The Original Influencers: Stories Behind the Flavours

One of the remarkable women and men who shaped the way I cook Caribbean food. Long before social media, these people were sharing their knowledge, passing down traditions and inspiring generations.

They were the natural influencers… The Original Influencers!

Have I ever told you about my Auntie Enid? Now, before we go any further, I should explain that I have two Auntie Enids! One in Jamaica and another here in the UK. Both remarkable women who have influenced my life and my love of cooking. But we'll save my UK Auntie Enid for another blog because today, we're heading to Jamaica!

A Beautiful House in Petersfield, Jamaica

During my many travels to Jamaica, one thing I always made sure of was spending time with Auntie Enid.

She lived in a large house in Petersfield, in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica. Visiting her was never just another stop on my travels. In many ways, it felt like coming home. There was something special about being in her company. The warmth, the laughter, the stories and, of course, the cooking!

But on one particular visit, Auntie Enid taught me something that would forever change the way I approached seasoning food. And it all started with a rather traumatic trip to Roaring River Cave!

The Bats, the Cave and My Not-So-Brave Adventure!

If you've ever visited Roaring River in Jamaica, you'll know about its enormous cave.

Well, let me tell you something. That cave nearly finished me! There I was, surrounded by darkness, with bats seemingly parachuting all over the place. Flying here, flying there, and generally behaving as though they owned the place! I was absolutely terrified.

Auntie Enid, on the other hand, couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.

As far as she was concerned, those bats weren't going to hurt anybody, and I was being far too dramatic! Well, perhaps I was. But when you've got bats flying around your head, a little drama is perfectly understandable, wouldn't you agree? If nothing else, my performance certainly gave the tourists a good giggle!

Anyway, having survived my great Jamaican cave adventure, we returned home.

And that's when the real lesson began.

“You No Fe Use So’ Much Powder Ina De Seasoning!”

Back at the house, Auntie Enid was preparing curry mutton. Now, before anyone asks, yes, in our Caribbean cooking tradition, we clean our meat. Every time! But that's another conversation for another blog. As I watched her preparing and seasoning the mutton, she said something that has stayed with me ever since:

“You no fe use so' much powder ina de seasoning… Use natural seasoning!”

And with that, out came the natural ingredients. Fresh thyme, peppercorns, natural peppers, pimento and a wonderful selection of traditional seasonings. One by one, she added them to the meat, showing me how the flavours could work together without relying heavily on powdered seasonings. There was no complicated explanation, no measuring everything to the last gram and certainly no fancy culinary terminology. Just Auntie Enid, her ingredients and generations of Jamaican cooking knowledge.

And do you know what?

That was the moment I began to think differently about food.

Stop. Think. Apply.

Three simple words that have stayed with me throughout my cooking journey.

Stop. Think. Apply.

Stop before reaching automatically for another packet of powdered seasoning.

Think about the natural ingredients available and the flavours they can create.

Apply those ingredients thoughtfully, allowing the food's natural character to come through.

It wasn't about abandoning every dried or powdered spice. It was about understanding what I was putting into my food and recognising that wonderful flavours could come from simple, natural ingredients. Auntie Enid taught me that good Caribbean cooking isn't about throwing everything into the pot and hoping for the best. It's about understanding your ingredients, respecting your traditions and knowing how to bring flavours together. And that lesson has never left me.

From Auntie Enid's Kitchen to Caribbean Takeaway

Years later, as I developed Caribbean Takeaway, those lessons became part of the philosophy behind the business. I wanted to create authentic, home-cooked Caribbean meals that celebrated the flavours I grew up with and the cooking traditions passed down through my family.

Food made with care.

Food made with love.

Food seasoned thoughtfully, using natural ingredients.

And importantly, food without artificial additives or preservatives.

At Caribbean Takeaway, we prepare our meals fresh before freezing them to lock in their flavour, making it convenient for customers to enjoy traditional Caribbean cooking in their own time. Our meals are well-seasoned, full of flavour and designed to be enjoyed by everyone, whether they're discovering Caribbean food for the first time or returning to the tastes they know and love. Because authentic Caribbean cooking doesn't have to mean overpowering heat but culminating aromas. It means flavour, balance, tradition and a little bit of that special something that only home cooking can bring.

The Little Woman with a Big Influence

Looking back, I realise that some of life's most valuable lessons don't come from classrooms, cookbooks or professional kitchens. Sometimes they come from standing beside someone you love, watching them prepare an ordinary family meal. Auntie Enid probably had no idea how much that conversation would influence me. To her, she was simply cooking curry mutton the way she knew best. To me, she was passing on something far more valuable.

A way of thinking about food. A respect for natural ingredients. And a connection to my Jamaican heritage that continues to influence the meals I prepare today. So, whenever I'm in the kitchen, reaching for the thyme, pimento or fresh peppers some of which we grow ourselves among the rolling hills of Lincolnshire, I can almost hear her voice:

“You no fe use so' much powder ina de seasoning… Use natural seasoning!”

And it still makes me smile.

Dedicated to Auntie Enid

Petersfield, Westmoreland, Jamaica.

All 4 foot 6 inches of her!

“She likkle but she tallawah!”

Small in stature, mighty in spirit, and a woman whose wisdom will always have a place in my kitchen.

With love and gratitude.

Caribbean Takeaway

Authentic Caribbean flavours. Home-cooked with love. Freshly prepared and frozen for your convenience. From Freezer to Fork in Up to 10 Minutes!