MEGAN ROBERTS

megan@carib101.com

DELICIOUS CONVERSATIONS

As a child of Jamaican parents and a chef, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for traditional Jamaican cuisine. One dish that holds a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of many Jamaicans, is jerk chicken. Jerk chicken is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural icon that represents the flavours and traditions of Jamaica. That’s why it’s so important to me, and to many others, to preserve the authenticity of this beloved dish.

Chef Nicholas is one of those individuals who is dedicated to preserving traditional jerk chicken. He is passionate about bringing the true flavours of Jamaica to his community in Canada. Chef Nicholas is in the world of opening up a jerk centre in Brampton that will offer authentic jerk chicken using the method of cooking with pimento wood.

“So, if you know that you want the best jerk chicken, or jerk pork, you’re going to go to TricNic Jerk Center, because that’s where you’re going to get it.” Chef Nicholas emphasized. He firmly believes that using pimento wood is essential to achieving the distinct smokey flavours that sets traditional jerk chicken apart from its variations.

“For me right now, in terms of jerk chicken, the real way is with the pimento wood,” he continued. “It’s not easy to do it in the traditional way. He explained that while it’s not easy to source the pimento wood, it’s the only way to preserve the authentic flavour and essence of the dish. In Canada, where the weather is cold and laws restrict certain methods of cooking, many jerk chicken establishments use barrel grills which deviate from the traditional method of digging a pit to smoke.

However, Chef Nicholas is determined to adhere to the originality of jerk chicken and has plans of opening up a jerk centre in Brampton, where customers can experience the true flavours of traditional jerk chicken.

“So, we’re setting up our jerk centre where you can get the jerk chicken the real way, the authentic way, where you’re going to get it on the charcoal grill every day. It’s going to be baked in the oven,” he shared. His dedication to preserving traditional jerk chicken is inspiring and serves as a reminder of the cultural significance of the dish.

“The spices are going to be directly from Jamaica. We get our scotch bonnet and pimento seeds directly from Jamaica. We make our own jerk seasoning from scratch. We don’t get our spices premixed; we mix our own blend.” This attention to detail is what sets TricNic Jerk Center apart from other establishments that may rely on pre-packaged seasonings and shortcuts.

Chef Nicholas and I also spoke about the historical significance of this dish. We touched on the fact that the method of jerking chicken can be traced back to the Maroons, who were descendants of enslaved Africans that escaped to the mountains of Jamaica. They used a combination of spices and smoking techniques to preserve the meat, which evolved into what we know today as jerk chicken.

It’s clear that chef Nicholas’ passion for preservation extends beyond just the food itself, it’s a representation of his heritage and culture. As a food writer and chef, I appreciate the work he has done and continues to do advocating for the safeguarding of this popular dish. We must ensure that future generations can experience true flavours and understand both the historical and cultural importance of jerk chicken and we need to support the efforts of Chef Nicholas and others who are working to protect and educate others.

Chef was gracious enough to add a simple yet delicious recipe:

Authentic Jamaican Jerk Shrimp (shelled)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb. shrimp (peeled and deveined)

Leaving the tail on

• 1/2 cup TricNic® Jerk Marinade

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat or preheat the grill to medium heat. Put shrimp in a mixing bowl and rub in TricNic® jerk marinade. Mix to make sure the shrimp is well coated.

Step 2

Add shrimp to the grilled or a hot skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once midway until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet. Enjoy!

Time and time again, people are continuously told to be mindful of what they post online because once it’s out there, there’s lost his job for having an explicit OnlyFans account as a side hustle.

According to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, Gregory Locke, 33, held a judicial role consisting of: supervising law clerks, presiding at pre-trial settlement conferences, and conducting formal hearings.

Locke has produced over 100 posts since opening his account in November 2020 and charges a $12 monthly fee.

He also has a Twitter account where he frequently posts NSFW photos and videos.

His now-former city bosses fired him when they became aware of his ex- plicit side gig.

There was a mix of reactions to the story. Some: either had jokes to say, were surprised due to the main job Locke obtained, or saw no harm in having an OnlyFans.

The jokes were whatever to me, but those who saw no harm in what Locke was doing made me give them the side eye.

While some employers will say: “meh,” to employees posting NSFW content, most would prefer not to be affiliated with anyone who engages in that activity.

That’s what quite a few people continue to overlook.

Employers have a reputation to protect, and they don’t need to have someone ruin the reputation they worked hard to maintain.

We also have to think about how our relatives and friends would feel, because no one wants to see any explicit content of a relative or friend.

I understand we are going through a tough time with inflation, and more people are looking into getting a side job to avoid struggling. However, we must be mindful of the choices we make and the consequences for them.

Can we use this concept to build, rather than destroy? Can colonialism be rebranded for the 21st Century?

Haiti Haiti is historically a petri dish of colonialism. Once the colonialists left, they left the nation in disarray, a political and social vacuum filled by self-declared leaders,

Papa Doc Duvalier followed by Baby Doc Jr and a slew of Generals.

Presently Haiti is being torn apart by gangland violence financed and politically inspired by several powerful families vying for supreme power. The world looks upon this situation realizing that throwing money at the problem will not achieve anything except to empower families who already have a tight hold on the country. Sending in troops to take control of the situation is a challenge no one, or group of nations is willing to do. What then can be done? Many Haitians are being terrorized, oppressed and murdered.

The New Colonialism

How about the policy, or practice of one nation (Canada) to acquire full, or temporary control of another nation? This is done in order to achieve a humanitarian goal: the democratization of a failing nation.

Canada is a multilingual nation speaking French, the language of Haiti. Canada has very close ties to Haiti as well. Canada is a former colony that understands the pitfalls of colonialism historically and practically.

Canada could proceed using these following tenants:

1. Official invitation of Haiti to join Canada’s Federation fully or temporarily. If fully Haiti would become a province of Canada in time (say 10-15 years) Haiti could be a protectorate moving towards full membership or be a member over a 10–15-year period, Allowing the authorities to shape the nation: judicially, politically, socially and financially.

2. Canadian police and military action will be required to seek out and crush all forms of violent gangland activities. The RCMP, Canadian Police Forces across Canada will supply investigators to seek out all forms of financial, political, military and international corruption. The Haiti Oligarchs will be brought to justice.

3. Canadian Forces will train, equip and assist Haitian Police and Military Forces so that they can be self-sufficient in their policing abilities.

4. Economic and political ties between Canada and Haiti and the Caribbean will become a primary focal point of policy in the 21st century binding a multinational alliance.

5. Property ownership in Haiti will become a prime concern. Possible land transfers from corrupt officials to the public domain may be demanded. We are talking about land reform, and full equality. This would be a new democracy offered and given through Haitians efforts.

A national vote must be offered to all in Haiti, voting upon their place in Canada. Will a majority of Haitians accept Canada’s offer to join the Federation fully, or in a temporary status ending in 10-15 years’ time?

The horrors that Haiti is going through is not new to Haitians. Corruption has influenced and often controlled the nation and its people for many decades. Only a strong statement of action will bring peace to the Haitian People, and not temporarily, but for all time. Haiti’s potential economic future can only be accomplished if the Haitian status quo changes directly and forcefully.

Giving Haitians the opportunity to become Canadian citizens experiencing all the benefits Canadians experience, or accepting Canadian assistance to change Haiti’s future while remaining an independent nation. It’s a vote for future change no matter how you look at it.

Stop the brain drain in Haiti where professionals and educated alike are leaving the nation. Thousands of Haitians leave their homeland to enter the horrors of forced migration. Canada can end all of this, increase our immigration potential needs and strengthen democratic institutions throughout the Americas.

Is there a future for New Colonialism, a process that can be life giving, lifting up nations and their populations in need?