A championship feast
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD CRAIG Fleming was home alone one day with no one to cook for him. So he did what any well-thinking eight-year-old would do – he reached for a cookbook and started cooking.
That kitchen journey took him to study at Le Cordon Bleu Miami, where he graduated with a degree in culinary arts. And even though his day job is that of logistics specialist at Arel Limited, he is still feeding his soul and pleasing his family and friends by cooking amazing dishes.
Like almost everyone else in Jamaica, Fleming will host a crowd at his home this Saturday, to watch as GOAT – Usain Bolt makes his final run at the IAAF World Championships in London. A big race deserves some big food, right? So Chef Craig has created a multicultural menu that will be sure to hit the mark with food fans.
“I wanted each dish to represent a different country because the Championships are about athletes from around the world meeting in the pursuit of excellence.”
Chicken, long considered the world’s favourite protein, takes three turns on the winner’s podium in the form of The Best Dressed Chicken kabob with Mint Tzatziki and Za’atar Pita Chips; The Best Dressed Chicken Ludobird-inspired sandwiches and The Best Dressed Chicken Jerk Temaki Rolls.
“Persian cuisine is the inspiration for The Best Dressed Chicken Kabob with Mint Tzatziki and Za’atar Pita Chips. Like Jamaican cuisine, Persian food is vibrant, fresh and expressive in flavour. The complex flavour profile of this dish is definitely a conversation starter and makes it a sure win at any party!” he says.
For The Best Dressed Chicken Ludobird-inspired Sandwiches, Flemming did a remix of a favourite from Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s LA-based restaurant. “I amalgamated a simple Americana fast-food staple with a French and Asian flair that is both simple and tasty,” he explained.
And for The Best Dressed Chicken Jerk Temaki Rolls, he calls on his passion for sushi. “I loved the temaki served at Nobu Miami because you do not need to be chopstick-proficient to eat this roll. I integrated the fiery Jamaican jerk, which is balanced by the cilantro and sweet peppers. Plus, since Jamaica will rule at the World Championships, it’s perfect that our national colours are present in this dish.”
Try these and you may, like Bolt, get a gold medal on the culinary podium.