Novelette McGhie grateful to PAN for showcasing her talent
NOVELETTE MCGHIE has been preparing pan chicken in an unfinished concrete structure on weekdays. She dreams of being financially able to complete the facility.
“I always enjoyed cooking, and I have been doing it for eight years now. I had a cookshop but I got sick and I had to close it down”, McGhie shared.
She continued, “I have been doing jerk chicken for seven years at Paradise – my shop where I also sell snacks. I started building a structure where I can do the chicken, but it’s not finished, and that’s what I want to focus on if I win the PAN chicken competition”.
McGhie finished in first place for the parish of St James at PAN 2018 Regional 2 in St Elizabeth last month. Her win came as a surprise.
REASON FOR ENTERING
“It was a lady from the SDC (Social Development Commission) office who told me that I should enter. She brought me the form and encouraged me. I wanted the experience and the exposure so I decided to take her advice,” said McGhie.
“I didn’t expect to win because it was a bit challenging. Overall, I learnt a lot, and it was a great experience because I got the opportunity to showcase my talent,” she added.
McGhie spoke about how the competition has enhanced her skills.
“I learnt how to make a better sauce, and I also learnt how to prepare food carefully. The competition taught me a lot.”
She shared her game plan to make an impression with the judges at the PAN grand final on Sunday, October 28, saying, “I want to make an even better sauce and experiment with the chicken. So that’s what I am planning on doing. I want to be the winner because I am doing this for my six children,” the 45year-old Paradise, Norwood, resident said.