From Portland to Barbados

There’s something special cooking in Portland, Jamaica. It’s not just the flavours, but the hands that craft them – hands that belong to Chef Vanessa Foreman, a culinary artist who has spent years perfecting her craft. Her journey, rooted in a childhood passion, recently took an unexpected turn when Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, personally invited her to showcase her skills at the prime minister’s fete, Dis’ Gotta Be Mas, held at Llamo Court, St Michael, during the celebration of Barbados’ 50th Crop Over.

Chef Foreman’s story begins, as all good stories do, with a bit of mischief. Picture a six-year-old Foreman, creeping into the kitchen under the cover of night, determined to bake her mother a birthday cake. She succeeded, though it cost her a scolding the next morning. But that moment – the thrill of creation, the joy of feeding others – lit a fire in her that’s never dimmed.

Her family, though not professional chefs, were her first mentors. “My mom, aunts, and uncles all loved to cook,” she recalls. “They weren’t running restaurants, but they knew how to make a meal memorable.” With their influence and her own burgeoning talent, Foreman’s path was set. Over the years, her business partner Sadia Williams, transformed that passion into Vanessa’s Fine Foods that’s become a staple in their community in San San Portland and beyond.

2021 ENCOUNTER

Fast forward to an encounter in 2021, where fate had a little surprise for Chef Foreman. While tending to her restaurant, Prime Minister Mia Mottley herself took notice of Foreman’s offerings and willingness to meet the needs of her customers. “There was something about the way Vanessa combined traditional Caribbean flavours with her own creative twist that stood out as well as her ability to remain cool under pressure,” said attorney Clare Miller, who made the introduction between Chef Foreman and Mottley.

“She came up to me, curious about the dishes I was serving,” Foreman recounts, still somewhat in disbelief. That encounter led to an invitation to cook at one of the most prestigious events in Barbados, the prime minister’s fete in 2021. For a chef who had been quietly honing her craft in Portland, it was a moment that felt almost surreal.

Now her third invitation to Barbados, Foreman knew exactly what she wanted to do: serve up the kind of Sunday meal that Caribbean families across the islands know and love. “I wanted to give them a taste of home,” she says, her voice filled with pride.

Her menu was a celebration of those comforting, familiar flavours. There was rice and peas, macaroni pie, barbecue chicken, and fried fish. She added coleslaw, pickled cucumber and tomatoes to the mix, ensuring every bite was a nod to the culinary traditions of the region. And then there was her fried pudding with rum sauce – a sweet finale that had guests raving.

But what really made her dishes stand out was her love for bold, unapologetic seasoning. “I don’t believe in bland food,” Foreman asserts. Her signature dishes, like her lamb creations and decadent chocolate desserts, are a testament to that philosophy.

Foreman isn’t just about sticking to tradition, though. She’s a culinary innovator, always looking for new ways to surprise and delight her customers. One of her more unconventional creations is a savoury pastry that plays tricks on the senses. It looks like a typical éclair, but take a bite, and you’re greeted with the familiar flavours of rice and peas. It’s these kinds of dishes that keep Mottley coming back for more.

As she looks ahead, Foreman is more determined than ever to take her cooking beyond Jamaica’s shores. Her experience at Dis’ Gotta Be Mas has opened her eyes to new possibilities, and she’s eager to share her unique take on Caribbean cuisine with the world.

Foreman’s journey from a curious child in the kitchen to a chef recognised by a prime minister is a story of passion, creativity, and relentless dedication. And if her recent success is any indication, it’s a journey that’s just getting started.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com