Pre-order online until TUE Sep 7, 10pm
Pick up on WED Sep 8, 6-7:30pm
Bajan cuisine naturally reflects it diverse history, a mixture of African, Portuguese, Indian, Irish, Creole and British influences. While some dishes are tied closely to the island, like flying fish, others are more transportable, giving Chef Shem Barker an opportunity to share some of delicious flavours of Barbadian home cooking with us here in Toronto.
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Carrot Broccoli Soup
Smooth and healthy, this creamy soup is packed with fresh vegetables, and infused with garlic, thyme, onions, and Shem’s special mix of herbs.
Chicken Pelau
Bajan pelau (or pilau) is but one manifestation of this family savoury one-pot meals that combine rice, vegetables, meat and spices. With the global spread of Islam in the 6th C. this method of cooking rice spread from India to Spain, evolving into dishes like Spanish paella and Indian biryani. It made its way to the Caribbean with the influx of South Asian immigrants and labourers that travelled to all corners of the British empire, and has long since become a beloved staple of Island life. Every island — maybe even every family — has their own take, this Barbadian one featuring red kidney beans, peppers, okra and chicken.
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Saltfish & Rice Cookup
One of many quick and simple “cookups” that define classic Caribbean home cooking — savoury saltfish mixed with rice, okra, peppers, thyme, garlic & herbs. Saltfish (dried salted cod) was an essential staple that enabled transatlantic trade, and big part of Canada’s relationship with the Caribbean. Canada would send down cod from the prolific fisheries of the East Coast, and the ships would return with sugar, spices, molasses and rum.
Both dishes come with a Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad
A simple, cool fresh salad with some freshly squeezed lime juice and freshly chopped parsley is the prefect accompaniment.
Coconut Bread
A sweet bread with grated coconut, little bits of dried fruit and hint of nutmeg; a popular dessert for anytime snack.
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Chicken, Vegetarian, or 1/2+1/2
Bajan Comfort Dinner for 2 $48 • for 4 $90
ORDERING FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. PICKUP IS WED 6-7:30PM
Chef Shem Barker immigrated to Toronto from his native Barbados in 2018. A graduate of the Barbados Hospitality Institute, Shem has had the opportunity to work closely with award-winning chefs who encouraged him to explore his creativity and give his Barbadian cooking an international flare. He is the owner of Shem’s Kitchen which features Shem’s unique style, a cuisine inspired by the food, festivals and culture of the Caribbean. For more information on Shem’s Kitchen, follow him online at @shemkitchen4047
