Caribbean Food Made Easy

Posted by Stewart Turner

Levi Roots


Ever wondered how Jamaican speed machine Usain Bolt manages to smash world records every time he leaves the house? It’s all down to a magical white substance produced on the plantations of the Caribbean, according to his dad.

But don’t start haranguing the IAAF to give the big man a urine test just yet. We’re talking yams – a powerful performance-enhancing vegetable according to Usain’s dad, who dropped by this new Caribbean cooking show for a spot of lunch.

A scrumptious-looking yam recipe wasn’t the only thing on offer in the opening episode of Levi Roots’ show. Indeed, if you thought the extent of his culinary expertise was getting fearsome dragon Peter Jones all hot under the collar by bottling a gloopy red sauce, last night probably came as a pleasant surprise.

The trend towards food on TV over the last few years has firmly centred on shouty celebrity chefs huffing and puffing over pan-fried steaks, and Levi's ultra-enthusiastic manner as he gesticulated his way through recipes for jerk chicken, roast red snapper with coconut and lime salsa, and a tasty twist on Jamaican staple rice and peas, was as refreshing as an ice-cold can of Red Stripe.

With its Caribbean beach strolls and end-of-show singalong, at times it was all a bit like a corny 1980’s Billy Ocean video, but the Reggae Reggae Sauce man’s sheer zeal could probably thaw even a sourpuss like Gordon Ramsay’s frozen heart. If last night’s opener was anything to go by, Levi’s likely to be a fixture on the foodie TV scene for many years to come.

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