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‘Being part of BVI Food Fete reps who I am as a BVIslander’ Ariq Flax-Clarke

- Said the event is always a good experience for him
Young local chef Ariq Flax-Clarke has been holding his own in the kitchen long before he was a teenager and was happy to be a part of BVI Food Fete for the second year. Photo: VINO
Tasty cuisine prepared by local chef Ariq Flax-Clarke at Taste of Tortola at QE II Park on November 9, 2019. Photo: VINO
Tasty cuisine prepared by local chef Ariq Flax-Clarke at Taste of Tortola at QE II Park on November 9, 2019. Photo: VINO
Ariq Flax-Clarke said despite preparing his dishes made with coconut curry chicken and creole lobster with the added trimmings of plantain marsh, sweet chilli, spiced chickpeas, and avocado mayonnaise sauce, for the first time, he believed he did well at Taste of Tortola 2019. Photo: VINO
Ariq Flax-Clarke said despite preparing his dishes made with coconut curry chicken and creole lobster with the added trimmings of plantain marsh, sweet chilli, spiced chickpeas, and avocado mayonnaise sauce, for the first time, he believed he did well at Taste of Tortola 2019. Photo: VINO
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Virgin Gorda’s very own Chef Ariq Flax-Clarke said he has been holding his own in the kitchen long before he was a teenager and was happy to stimulate the taste buds of hundreds of guests at the BVI Food Fete event 'Taste of Tortola' at Queen Elizabeth II Park on November 9, 2019.

“Being a part of this event represents who I am as a BVIslander, and it’s always nice to come back home and represent where I am from,” he said. “Its hard work but you have to stay passionate about what you produce.”

Flax-Clarke, who Virgin Islands News Online featured as a Young Professional in June 2015, said despite preparing his dishes made with coconut curry chicken and creole lobster with the added trimmings of plantain mash, sweet chilli, spiced chickpeas, and avocado mayonnaise sauce, for the first time, he believed he did well.

“I never did them before, but I know the flavour, I work with them a lot, so I know that they will blend well together. I was telling my apprentice, you have to train your palate as it is very important. Because you can learn exactly what will pair well with each other,” he pointed out.

I’ve been cooking for years

Clarke said with two chefs for grandmothers, “I’ve been around the block a few times, and I have been a chef since I was about ten years old.”

He said one of his grandmothers worked as an appetizer chef at Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda and the other at the family’s establishment – Fisher’s Cove.

Clarke is currently a student at Johnson and Wales University in Miami, USA and this is his second year participating in BVI Food Fete.

“It’s always a good experience! Being out here is always an excellent time. The BVI Tourist Board always comes great and produce a good quality event,” he added.

6 Responses to “‘Being part of BVI Food Fete reps who I am as a BVIslander’ Ariq Flax-Clarke”

  • True (12/11/2019, 08:48) Like (2) Dislike (17) Reply

    no offence to the young guy but the tourist board should never of brought him as a guest chef as he is still young and inexperienced.

  • Real Macoy (12/11/2019, 10:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't hate on the young apprentice, just appreciate.
    At least no one complained about the food.
    Everyone did wonderful.
    The food was great because nothing remained.
  • Bold (12/11/2019, 11:28) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ TRUE..IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU KEEPS OUR YOUNGSTERS DOWN WITH YOUR NEGATIVITY EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE THAT'S HOW YOU GAIN EXPERIENCE AND RESPECT TO TOURIST BOARD FOR GIVING THE YOUNG MAN A CHANCE ..REAL TALK
    .
  • nonsense (12/11/2019, 13:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    so tell me true how are we to show our young talent wait until they make it in the world and then invite them. this is how person become better and build self confidence. TB saw the talent in him and that's why he's back. You start by showing casing their talent and they grow and improve. smh
  • Hmm (13/11/2019, 10:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Avocado Mayonnaise Sauce??? Boy that's a new twist... interesting.
  • Advice (13/11/2019, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For future, try to keep your work station clean. That is just as important as the food tasting good. The area which you are working, including the plate, should be impeccable. Good job. Take these negative comments and excel with it!


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