Mama Shar’s Caribbean Cooking

Introducing our amazing Foods of the Caribbean columnist Sharmen Frith – Hemmings, who every month whisks us away and transports us to a different beautiful Caribbean Island and helps us experience the culture, the uniqueness of each island and introduces us to the beautiful cuisine.

We get to learn all about the Caribbean and their traditional but tasty recipes. So far, we have visited Montserrat, Dominica, the Island of Anguilla and Antigua.

After leaving the beautiful Island of Montserrat in 1997 because of the devastation caused by a volcanic eruption, Sharmen, then a young lady, joined her mother, who was already living in Burnley, Lancashire. After re-educating herself at university, she achieved a degree in law and worked as an Administration Supervisor at the Courts. She then went on to study a Masters in Social Work and practised as a Social Worker for over 10 years. Unfortunately, Sharmen’s Mum became ill during this time and she could only work part-time as she had to look after her mum. Being adventurous as she is, she then trained to be a personal trainer, teaching weightlifting but after receiving an injury she took some time out.

But Shar’s passion has always been cooking...so she started making healthy Caribbean food for her friends and that gave her the idea of starting her own catering business.

In December 2017 she started food prep in Preston and 2 years later hired a kitchen in Burnley where she recycled the kitchen with her family, which took almost 8 months but unfortunately a few months later, Lockdown happened and created a massive setback for business. During the lockdown, she took the time to study again and putting herself through 3 diplomas in Food Production, Team Leading, Human Resources and Infection control. Social Media went from strength to strength during the pandemic, so Sharmen took advantage of Instagram to promote her business.

She purchased her van and has had it decorated in vibrant colours to

promote her vibrant way of cooking.

Sharmen runs lots of courses too. In May she is starting her popular ‘’Cooking the Caribbean Way’’ and she is offering an amazing discount to our readers... normally the course which runs over four Wednesday evenings is £197pp but the first 10

people to sign up will be able to join

in for only £100pp. This can be done over Zoom too, so if you want to create mouth watering recipes- spice up your cooking using different techniques and culinary skills, contact Sharmen.

You will learn how to make authentic Caribbean food from Jerk Chicken, Fried Dumplings to Special Fried Fish and Sautéed Cabbage - you provide the ingredients and Sharmen will provide the spices and show you how to make the best of them!

During the winter, Sharmen has been helping the homeless people of Burnley by offering them free hot food and drinks from her shop on Brennand Street. Sharmen loves to go to church and wanted to give back to the community.

Now that Summer is fast approaching us, this is the time of the year when Mama Shar’s Caribbean cooking brings sunshine into our lives. They like to boast that they bring authentic, delicious, and affordable Caribbean meals and Celebration Cakes to give amazing flavours. They provide event planning, catering, and street food with an altogether high service to their customers.

You will find Mama Shar’s at lots of festivals and events this year. The Burnley Artisan Market with over 50 producers of local food, drink, art and craft. Plus street food and live music - there will be something for everyone! You can find Sharmen on St James’s Street on the first Saturday of each month until the end of the year. 10am to 4pm. Colne Artisan Market every 2nd Saturday of the month.

You will also find her at: Colne Soapbox Rally June 12th 2022 Alongside the Artisan Market there will be a full funfair, street food, music, entertainment and more. Festival of Nelson June 18th 2022. Windrush 74 in Preston June 19th 2022 The Festival started in 2013 and is a full day of music, entertainment and street food. Yorkshire Food and Drink Festival 2022 on July 22nd until 24th July - Yorkshires biggest festival at Funfirk Farm, Skipton. There are also live celebrity demos by The Hairy Bikers and James Martin, workshops, masterclasses and of course Mama Shar’s Caribbean cuisine.

Mama Shar’s can cater for all your Al Fresco needs, boasting a beautiful mobile catering van and gazebo, which can fulfil all your outside catering plans from office parties, weddings, events, and private dining. Bookings are now being taken, so if you are looking for something different, a taste of the Caribbean. If you are looking for a Celebration Cake, Sharmen loves to bake and has catered for many of her friends weddings.

She has also recently introduced a selection of own-label special seasonings which are available to buy online at mamashars.com

You can find her takeaway business on Burnley Eats and Just Eat and they are planning to be on Deliveroo in the future. They also do plant based cuisine.

You can also visit her shop at 5, Brennand Street, Burnley, BB10 1SU It opens Monday to Saturday from 4pm until 9pm. They have recently revised their menu and new opening times.

M 5 Brennand Street, Burnley

BB10 1SU E info@mamashars.com N 07988 890974 F @mamashars I @mamashars