Paradise in a lunch box
Shereka Lindsay delivering flavourful meals
From signature barbecue wings, deep-fried shrimp, sorrel glazed salmon with a mango avocado salsa to creamy garlic mashed potatoes and chicken Alfredo pasta — self-taught chef Shereka Lindsay created a delicious way to marry festive flavours with exquisite yet comfort-inspired dishes.
For as long as she could remember, Lindsay’s favourite pastime was watching her father make magic in the kitchen. It wasn’t long before her questions on the process of measurement and direction progressed into fiery action. “Food shows and competitions would always have my interest as well. So I knew from growing up as a child that cooking was going to play a major role in my life,” she told Food.
However, somewhere along the way, her passion was pushed to the back burner. With cooking reduced to an everyday hobby, she proceeded to light her career flames elsewhere. It wasn’t until the global COVID-19 pandemic that she courageously took a chance on herself and her dreams. Bolstered by encouragement from her loved ones, she was unstoppable.
The summer of 2020 marked a hot start to Sher’s Creative Cuisine, and so far, things have been sizzling. “The feedback has been lovely, and the support, phenomenal. It has really been tremendous, surpassing my expectations. There is no greater feeling than when you see an actual customer going out of his or her way just to eat your food,” she said, noting that a customer once left an event she was hosting, just to meet Lindsay’s bearer at a more central location for pick up. Her reason for going rogue was simple: the food is that good. “If that doesn’t make me love this, nothing else will,” she added.
Currently operating on a monthly cookout and catering basis, her lunch boxes are a crowd favourite. Chef Lindsay also provides personalised diet plans and meal preparations.
Patrons have become repeat customers, not only because of the marvellous menu. According to the good chef, they are also impressed by the great customer service. And while sales have dampened as the spread of the virus causes more curfews and other restrictions, Chef Lindsay remains hopeful, increasing her service offerings at affordable prices as a result of the unceasing changes.
Her advice to those with a dream of cooking they are fearful or hesitant to pursue: Just start. “You can always perfect your skills along the way, but don’t wait for the right moment or whatever the excuse may be. If you love it, then just go for it and always put God first because, with him, you can conquer anything,” she said.
For more information on how you can get a taste of paradise on your plate, follow @shers_creative_cuisine on Instagram.