Pre-order online until TUE Dec 8, 10pm
Pick up on WED Dec 9, 6-7:30pm
Barbados officially announced its independence from Britain on November 30, 1966, creating national holiday that is celebrated every year. On this day, many Bajans show their pride by cooking and sharing their national dishes: Conkies (a sweet dumpling steamed in banana leaves) being the all-time favourite, closely followed by such cherished dishes as Cou-Cou & Fish, and Pudding & Souse. To ring in Independence Day this year, Chef Shem Barker proudly presents a selection of Bajan favourites to give you a authentic taste of what an independent Barbados is all about.
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Soup du Kadooment
A light but flavourful vegetable broth with large chunks of corn on the cob, together with carrots, pumpkin, and herbs.
Pudding & Souse with Green Bananas (pork & chicken)
Using acids like lime or vinegar to preserve and flavour food is popular technique throughout the Caribbean, from ceviche to escabeche. For this classic Bajan dish, pickled pig foot, chicken foot and pork pieces are dressed in spicy lime juice together with onions, cucumbers and fresh herbs, and served at room temperature. Served with a warm mound of steamed and mashed sweet potatoes seasoned with onions, garlic, thyme and warm spices, alongside boiled green bananas.
Cou-Cou & Saltfish with Cucumber Salsa (fish)
Salt cod braised with onions, sweet peppers, thyme, garlic and hot paprika. Served with a creamy moist cornmeal polenta cooked with ochroes (okra), and a zesty salsa of pickled cucumbers, onions and peppers.
Crop Over Conkies
The quintessential and most-requested Independence treat, this sweet corn meal dumpling is made with sweet potatoes, coconut, raisins, pumpkin and Caribbean spices, steamed in a banana leaf.
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Pork & Chicken, Fish, or 1/2+1/2
Bajan Dinner — $48 for 2 • $90 for 4
ORDERING FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. PICK UP 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 @shembarker
