When House of Flavaz first opened, which dishes were completely non-negotiable for you to have on the menu, and why?
As a Caribbean restaurant, it is very important to have staple dishes that represent the cuisine. Main dishes such as curry goat, jerk chicken and oxtail are distinctive classics that you will find in many Caribbean restaurants. However, each dish is seasoned and cooked with a unique twist and family influence, so for me, the preparation is key to making ours stand out from the rest.
How do you decide which dishes deserve a permanent place on the menu, and which ones stay as specials?
There is an expectation and understanding from the culture and from the people who come to eat at a Caribbean restaurant. Those three main dishes are non-negotiable. However, what we try to do is experiment and incorporate other methods I have learnt from different places, while also giving the menu a fresh and unique feel.
The loaded fries are something we would offer as a special, as they still incorporate a unique Caribbean feel by using meats and seasonings that align with Caribbean cuisine. Loaded fries originate from American cuisine, and I feel they appeal more to a younger demographic.
We do experiment, but we always keep the flavours working with the fundamental methods of Caribbean cooking, and these are what we would feature as specials. We are aiming to introduce other dishes, such as a Sunday Caribbean roast, and I am currently experimenting with a few more ideas. You will need to keep an eye out for these, as they will be launching over the summer and after September.
What’s the one dish that customers order again and again?
Boneless curry goat is one of our most popular dishes here. I’ve been told there are only a few places where you can get curry goat the way we make it. It’s served off the bone to ensure you get a full meat experience, as when it’s on the bone there’s often not enough meat. I find that the way we prepare and season it makes it succulent and tender, with plenty of flavour. We make our food with love and take our time.
What does “authentic Caribbean” food mean to you personally?
The word I’ve said before, and will say again, is LOVE. It’s funny because a lot of people complain about how long it takes to receive Caribbean food, not food from House of Flavaz, to be clear. What people need to understand is that it takes time to season and cook Caribbean food. It needs attention, care and a lot of marination.
Luckily for me, I’ve worked in kitchens long enough to understand the balance between restaurant service and cooking at home. We aim to give you that experience here. We make our food with a lot of love, attention and care. We season our meat properly, allowing it to marinate and develop plenty of flavour.
So you’re not just eating food, it’s an experience. And for those who take the time to eat, relax and enjoy the atmosphere, we hope you truly feel that.
Caribbean food varies so much from island to island, but which island has the best cuisine, in your opinion?
Ahhh, I have to be biased but honest with this one, because I’m from Jamaica, so of course I’m going to say Jamaican food, as that’s where my main influence comes from. It’s what I was brought up around and how I originally trained. Through home cooking with my grandparents and parents.
My family had a makeshift cooker back home, and I watched my grandma cooking outside, burning leaves around stones. I would say I am an island man, and we can’t overlook the other islands. Although we are individual islands, we are the Caribbean collectively, and we share very similar styles and processes when cooking.
So it’s important to understand that this is Caribbean culture you’re tasting, not just food from Jamaica.
What’s one misconception people often have about Caribbean food that you wish you could clear up?
A common misconception about Caribbean food is that it’s just about flavour. While flavour is important, many of our dishes also have some heat. The islands grow a lot of natural produce due to the volcanic soil in some areas and the tropical climate, so our cooking is influenced by fresh ingredients as well as herbs and seasonings.
Scotch bonnet is traditionally used across the Caribbean, so naturally we incorporate it into our food. It adds warmth and zest to the flavour. However, we understand that not everyone can handle spicy food, so we always make sure to accommodate and adapt where needed.
Why should people try House of Flavaz?
I’m going to keep this simple: if you enjoy Caribbean culture and you like Caribbean food, this is the place for you. It’s a home-cooked experience in a restaurant setting. House of Flavaz is not just about the food, but also the service and the people you meet. It’s not just about trying the food; it’s about having an experience. It’s a taste of the Caribbean in London.
When you need comfort food yourself, what’s your go-to Caribbean dish to cook?
When I need comfort food myself, my go-to Caribbean dish is ackee and saltfish with a couple of dumplings to start my day.
