Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Chef Haleem Card – An artist in the kitchen

Published:Thursday | May 18, 2023 | 12:23 AM
Chef Haleem Card prepares an order of Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwiches.
Chef Haleem Card prepares an order of Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwiches.
Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwich with roasted bell pepper aioli, grilled vegetables and shredded cheese, with a side of roasted sweet corn.
Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwich with roasted bell pepper aioli, grilled vegetables and shredded cheese, with a side of roasted sweet corn.
Friends Jhana-Lee Blake and Iana Garcia stopped by the the Pepsi Food Truck pop-up.
Friends Jhana-Lee Blake and Iana Garcia stopped by the the Pepsi Food Truck pop-up.
Chef Haleem Card’s take on street food is all about adding flair and technique to traditional dishes, while still maintaining the essence of street food.
Chef Haleem Card’s take on street food is all about adding flair and technique to traditional dishes, while still maintaining the essence of street food.
Chef Card’s escovitch snapper tacos with creamed callaloo, lettuce, sliced onions, thyme, cilantro, pickled beetroot and pineapple salsa.
Chef Card’s escovitch snapper tacos with creamed callaloo, lettuce, sliced onions, thyme, cilantro, pickled beetroot and pineapple salsa.
The Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwich with roasted sweet corn, and escovitch snapper tacos with fried tostones (breadfruit).
The Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwich with roasted sweet corn, and escovitch snapper tacos with fried tostones (breadfruit).
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For Chef Haleem Card, food is not just a profession – it’s a passion.

A renowned culinary mastermind, whose name has become synonymous with excellence in the culinary world, Chef Card is always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the kitchen.

While his love for food started with pastries and cake decorating, it has now evolved into so much more. He has travelled the world to learn about different cuisines and cooking techniques, bringing his knowledge and creativity to every dish he creates.

“Food feels like my life and Haleem is my alter ego,” he said. “I’m an artist by day and night, running a boat with friends, catering to the masses, or working on things at home in the kitchen , in the ‘lab’. I’m surrounded by food at all times.”

REMARKABLE FEAT

Competing against 15 other esteemed chefs from around the world, Chef Card emerged as the second-place winner in the finals of the World Cook streaming on Prime Video UK, a remarkable feat that further solidifies his reputation as a world-class chef.

As he approaches his 10th year in the culinary industry, he is looking forward to doing a big celebration.

Recently, he participated in the Pepsi Food Truck Pop-Up at Mall Plaza on Constant Spring Road.

The Pepsi Food Truck Pop-Up is a unique street food-style experience connecting Pepsi with Jamaican culture via a new food truck venture. It features four of the most popular chefs on the island – Chef Yassi Brissett, Chef Aaliyah Terrelonge, Chef Haleem Card, and Chef Andre Sewell – cooking up street food the Pepsi way.

Chef Card’s menu items included escovitch snapper tacos with tostones (fried breadfruit) and a Pepsi-braised chicken sub sandwich with roasted sweet corn.

His take on street food is all about adding flair and technique to traditional dishes, while still maintaining the essence of street food.

“The pop-up truck was a glimpse into something I’ve always wanted. A food truck popping up in the middle of the corporate shopping area! Serving food outside of the norm, completely out of pocket sometimes with a big bag of vibes and a good price tag with my friends and family,” he explained.

As for sharing the recipe for the dishes from the Pepsi Food Truck Pop-Up, Chef Card jokingly said, “Good luck, I don’t know what I put in there myself mi love! I’m the type of chef that’ll grab the first thing out of the cupboard and pour until my ancestors say ‘Stop!’ ”

He continued, “The ultimate goal is to get Jamaica to the higher pinnacle and continue to learn more about my cuisine and culture, locally and in the wider Caribbean. When I get to that point, maybe I’ll teach, but for now I’ll continue being the rockstar chef I am now, in a food truck of my own.”

Chef Card’s innovative approach to cooking and his dedication to his craft make him one of the most exciting chefs in the industry today.

The fourth and final Pepsi Food Truck Pop-Up is in Montego Bay on May 29 with Chef Andre Sewell.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com