Chef Nik shared with Mélange...
About your background
I was born in Freeport Bahamas in the early 80’ s and moved to South Caicos with my mother soon after my birth. I attended the Iris Stubbs Primary School then the Marjorie Basden High School on South Caicos, the Fishing Capital in the Turks Caicos Islands. Growing up, I was the eldest of 2 siblings. My mother worked on shift as a Police Officer, so sometimes I had the responsibility of preparing meals for my younger sister and brother. I burned a lot of rice along the way but there came a time when my siblings would rather me do the cooking instead of my mother.
About your decision to become a chef
I was almost forced into this profession by my mother working shifts, but I also enjoyed spending time in the kitchen with my father during my summer breaks. He owned one of the most popular local restaurants on the island of Providenciales,‘ Smokeys’. Cooking became my passion, I would stand and watch people smile with fulfillment as they enjoyed the many different flavors I infused into traditional dishes.
My belief is that everyone is born with a talent and that people should invest energy into what they’ re good at. Therefore, I decided to make this my career. Some kids aspire to be like super heroes or actors, but for me, my Dad was my main motivator, I wanted to be like him. He was a guy who stood tall with a great sense of humor but very strong, stern and hardworking who had a burning desire for keeping traditional Turks and Caicos dishes alive.
About your Cooking Show
One of my favourite pastimes was watching the various cooking shows on Food Network. I always wondered why there isn’ t a show featuring Caribbean style cooking. After battling with the thought of it and even applying to be featured on one of their cooking shows, I decided to create my own Caribbean cooking show. Crackpot Kitchen Show became a hit and was featured on the only two local TV networks in the Turks and Caicos with 10 episodes per season. The humorous, interactive cooking show featured traditional Turks and Caicos and Caribbean dishes that has people of all ages locked in until the end. To date, I am currently working on Season 3 and creating the first Caribbean Food Network Channel.
About your Restaurant, Crackpot Kitchen
Crackpot Kitchen Restaurant Bar and Grill offers the best in authentic Turks and Caicos cuisines with an international twist. It is located in the heart of Grace Bay, with rooftop and VIP lounge seating upstairs in the Ports of Call Village.
Back to Table of Contents