Anthea's Kitchen

16/06/2026

One of my favourite parts of catering isn't actually the cooking...

It's hearing the feedback.

The smiles when people take that first bite. The conversations around the food. The guests coming back for seconds. The comments asking who made the jerk chicken or how the flavours are so good.

This weekend's BBQ was full of lovely feedback, and I'm so grateful every single time people choose me to be part of their celebrations.

Food has a way of bringing people together, and seeing everyone enjoying themselves over a plate of good Caribbean food is exactly what it's all about.

If you're planning a BBQ, party, family gathering or special event this summer, I'd love to help make it one to remember. Send me a message to chat about catering options.

14/06/2026

Behind every meal prep box and every catering order is the same thing: a love of feeding people well.

One of the reasons I enjoy offering both services is because they solve the same problem in different ways. Sometimes you need delicious, nutritious meals ready for the week ahead. Other times you're hosting family, friends, colleagues or clients and want to enjoy the occasion without worrying about the food.

Whatever the reason, my approach is always the same. Fresh ingredients, plenty of flavour, authentic Jamaican influences and food made with care.

Whether you're looking to save time with meal prep or need catering for an upcoming event, I'd love to create something tailored to you.

Send me a message to discuss meal prep collections, delivery options or your next catering enquiry.

12/06/2026

There's something very satisfying about a perfectly cooked fritter.

Golden and crisp on the outside, soft and full of flavour on the inside, with a sweet chilli sauce that brings just the right balance of sweetness and gentle heat.

These sweetcorn fritters are one of those dishes that work for almost any occasion. They make a fantastic starter, a crowd-pleasing addition to a buffet table or a delicious side dish alongside a main meal.

I often find that it's the dishes people least expect that end up becoming favourites.

Simple ingredients, cooked well, can be every bit as memorable as the centrepiece of the meal.

The question is, would you dip generously into the sweet chilli sauce or save it for the last bite?

09/06/2026

Let's talk about one of the unsung heroes of Caribbean cooking: green seasoning.

If you've never come across it before, green seasoning is a blend of fresh herbs and aromatics, often including onions, garlic, thyme and peppers, that is used as the flavour base for countless dishes.

It's one of those things that doesn't always get the spotlight, but plays a huge role in creating the depth of flavour people associate with Caribbean food.

In Jamaican cooking, we often talk about layering flavour rather than simply adding seasoning at the end. Green seasoning is a perfect example of that philosophy. It helps create a foundation that allows every ingredient that follows to shine.

Like many traditional recipes, there isn't one "correct" way to make it. Families pass down their own versions, and cooks adapt it to their tastes.

That's what I love most about food. The techniques are shared, but every kitchen adds its own story.

Have you ever made green seasoning before, or do you have a family recipe that's been passed down through generations?

07/06/2026

It's funny how a smell can take you back years in an instant.

For me, that smell is pimento wood.

The moment it hits the air, I'm no longer thinking about work, to-do lists or what's happening tomorrow. Instead, I'm back in Jamaica, surrounded by family, good food and the sounds and smells that shaped my childhood.

So much of Jamaican cooking is rooted in tradition, and pimento wood plays an important role in authentic jerk cooking. It brings a distinctive flavour that can't quite be recreated any other way.

But beyond the flavour, it's the memories that make it special for me.

Food is about so much more than what's on the plate. It's about culture, family, stories and the moments that stay with us long after the meal has finished.

Every time I smell pimento wood, it reminds me where my passion for food started and why sharing Jamaican food with others means so much to me.

I'd love to know, what smell instantly takes you back to a happy memory?

05/06/2026

One of the things I enjoy most about cooking for people is hearing the stories behind the meals they want to eat.

A recent client came to me with a lovely idea. She had embraced the tradition of a Sunday dinner and loved everything it represented. Slowing down, gathering around the table and ending the week with a proper meal.

The only problem was that she wanted something a little different from the traditional English roast.

Not being English herself, she wanted to enjoy the tradition but bring more of her own personality and taste preferences into it. More flavour, more excitement, more variety.

I thought that was such a wonderful way to look at food.

Traditions are important, but they don't have to be followed exactly as they've always been done. Food has a beautiful way of evolving, borrowing inspiration from different cultures and creating something new.

At the heart of it, Sunday dinner isn't really about what's on the plate. It's about taking time to share good food with the people around you.

That said, if I can sneak a little Jamaican influence onto the table, I absolutely will.

I'd love to know, what does the perfect Sunday dinner look like to you?

02/06/2026

Another meal prep order collected and ready to fuel the week ahead.

One of the things I love most about offering meal prep is knowing that I'm helping people take a little pressure off their week. Life is busy, and having nutritious, home-cooked meals ready to go can make a real difference.

Whether you're trying to save time, eat more consistently, balance work and family life, or simply enjoy good food without the daily cooking, meal prep is designed to work around your lifestyle.

Every menu is tailored to your tastes and preferences, so you're getting meals you'll genuinely enjoy eating, not just meals that tick a box.

Collection and delivery options are both available, making it easy to fit into your routine.

If you'd like to find out more about meal prep or discuss a menu that's right for you, send me a message. I'd love to help.

31/05/2026

People often think meal prep is simply about saving time in the kitchen, but the feedback I get from customers is that it's about so much more than that.

It's about getting home after a long day and not having to think about what's for dinner. It's about knowing there's a nutritious, home-cooked meal ready and waiting for you.

It's about having one less thing to worry about during a busy week.

Good food should make life easier, not add more stress to it.

That's why every meal prep menu I create is tailored to the individual. The goal isn't to put you on a diet or have you eating the same thing day after day. It's to make sure you have delicious, flavour-packed meals that fit your lifestyle and keep you fuelled throughout the week.

If you'd love to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your evenings, send me a message and let's create a meal prep plan that's perfect for you.

30/05/2026

One of the things people say to me most often is, "I wish I could cook like you."

The truth is, it's rarely about being able to cook or not.

More often than not, it's about understanding the little techniques that bring a dish to life.

In Jamaican cooking, marinating is everything.
Giving your meat time to sit with the seasoning allows all those wonderful flavours to develop properly. If you can leave it overnight, even better.

Then the next day, before you add your meat to the pan, take a moment to heat your seasoning first.

Onions, thyme, garlic, ginger, peppers... let them warm through and release their aroma before anything else. It's one of those simple steps that creates the deep, rich flavours people associate with good Jamaican food.

I always say there are many ways to cook and food should never feel intimidating.

But if you've ever wondered why your food doesn't quite taste the way you hoped it would, sometimes it's the small details that make all the difference.

What's a cooking tip you've learned over the years that changed the way you cook? I'd love to hear it in the comments.

21/05/2026

Someone asked if I wouldn't mind being interviewed about my career and the choice I made to be in hospitality. I hope you find it inspiring.

The Career Cafè is back on Monday with my guest, from Anthea's Kitchen, Anthea Bradshaw.

Anthea will be telling us about her career journey as a chef.

Her passion shines though, so make sure to look out for the next episode of The Career Cafe - Restart Your Career Journey and access it wherever you get your podcasts.