I just couldn’t believe I won because I entered last year, and I was disappointed that I didn’t win anything. I owe this all to God.
IN 2006, Kerisa Wright’s cousin Dorritte Brown was crowned PAN Champion. Since then, the championship title has escaped St Thomas. Kerisa Wright wants to change that.
“My cousin won it many years ago and she encouraged me to enter this year. My exboss also pushed me to enter, so I decided to give it a try,” Wright shared.
The 27-year-old resident of White Horses was the secondplace winner for her parish at last month’s PAN 2017 Regional 2 in Portland.
“The experience was good, apart from the rain that fell. I really learnt a lot from this competition. I saw a lot of new things that I want to try out as well,” said Wright.
Using special herbs and natural spices, Wright said the secret in her recipe was ensuring that her chicken tasted good.
“Whatever I do, I always try to ensure that it tastes good and that the chicken is juicy and tender.” WHEN SHE was announced as the first-place winner for the parish of Portland, Carole Maxwell could hardly contain her emotions.
Maxwell threw her hands in the air, then covered her face and knelt down, whispering a prayer.
“A lot was going through my mind. I was saying to myself that is God do it. I just couldn’t believe I won because I entered last year, and I was disappointed
Wright’s experience in food began at an early age. “I’ve been cooking since I was around 10 years old. My mother and grandmother were always cooking, and I was there helping them out in the kitchen. For five years, I worked in the canteen at Sankofa Preparatory in Albion, and then I opened a restaurant which lasted for about a year because I had to close it down,” Wright shared.
BASED IN WHITE HORSES
Today, Wright prepares pan chicken on the main road in White Horses on weekends and holidays. She also does events, weddings and funerals in and around the area.
Wright said if she was named PAN Champion, the prize from JNBS would come in handy in re-establishing a restaurant where she can ply her trade.
“I want to build a shop and invest the money in the business and expand. So hopefully, that can become a reality if I win.” that I didn’t win anything. I owe this all to God,” said Maxwell.
It has been a rough journey for the mother of five. She entered the PAN 2017 competition to showcase her culinary skills, and hopefully win one of the major prizes at this Sunday’s grand final scheduled for the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre.
“I have a daughter in college and two sons who are in high school. I want to finish a house Karisa Wright that I started, so the prize money would really come in handy,” shared Maxwell.
STARTED IN HIGH SCHOOL
The petite woman from All Spice Grove in Fairy Hill was introduced to food during high school. She later expanded on her craft when she did a culinary course at a catering school.
And how is she preparing for the grand final?
“I’m going to be using better techniques and seasoning. I am also going to pay more attention to the presentation as well,” she shared.
I really learnt a lot from this competition. I saw a lot of new things that I want to try out as well.
Carole Maxwell