Dignitaries and Community Attend Grand Opening of
“Caribbean Culinary Museum & Theater” at Lauderhill Historical Museum
Artifacts from Around the Caribbean Region are on Display at the Lauderhill Historical
Museum until March, in the First Installation of a Unique Exhibition Series.
Lauderhill Commissioners Howard Berger and Richard Campbell (far left);
Constituent Service Representative, City of North Miami Nadia Assad (center
left); Lauderhill Mayor Ken Thurston (center right); and Retired Lauderhill
police officer Debbie Banner. Photo: RJ Deed
On Friday, February 22, city and county
commissioners, Caribbean dignitaries, and
South Florida residents enjoyed a glimpse
into the cultural history of the Caribbean
region at the grand opening of the
“Caribbean Culinary Museum and Theater
Exhibition” at the Lauderhill Historical
Museum. Distinguished attendees included
Bahamas Consul General Linda Mackey,
her husband Mr Stephen Mackey, Bahamas
Consul Terry Archer, Broward County Vice
Mayor Dale Holness, Lauderhill Mayor
Ken Thurston, patron of the exhibition
Lauderhill
Commissioner
Howard
Berger, Lauderhill Commissioner Richard
Campbell, Judge Jackie Powell, sponsors
Primary Medical Care Centers, Joy’s Roti
Delight, Tara Chadwick of History Fort
Lauderdale, and many others.
Jacqueline Lorber of the South Florida
Symphony shared, “So nice to see all of
these artifacts, and to see the similarities
between different cultures. We are a united
fold in so many ways.” Guest Marilyn Gari
expressed that she thought is was, “A great
teaching tool to let all of the history come
Museum presenters Calibe Thompson and David I. Muir of Island Syndicate
welcome dignitary guests including Lauderhill Commissioner Howard Berger,
Mayor Ken Thurston, Bahamas Consul Terry Archer, Broward County Vice
Mayor Dale Holness, and Bahamas Consul General Linda Mackey
Photo: RJ Deed
to life for those that were not exposed to
it.” Scarlette Clarke from Yellow Cab of
Broward wrote, “This effort of love for
our community transcends culture and
people. It brings a level of understanding
that demands kindness and compassion,”
while Consul General Mackey shared that
she thought it was, “Refreshing to see the
taste and history of the Caribbean” on
display. The month-long, family-friendly
installation will be available, free to the
public, until Saturday, March 16th. Guests
may enjoy the artifacts, informational
graphics, spices, produce, and culinary
theater showings, on Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The “Museum” section of the exhibition
includes a broad collection of artifacts
and memorabilia, including pieces from
Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Barbados and
the Latin Caribbean islands. In the
“Culinary Theater”, guests can watch as
actors on-screen representing different
islands of the Caribbean deliver a dramatic
presentation of the meaning behind their
shared culinary cultures. The Lauderhill
installation of the “Caribbean Culinary
Museum and Theater” is co-presented by
City Commissioner Howard Berger and
the City of Lauderhill.
The project was conceptualized by Calibe
Thompson, David Muir, and Marsha
McDonald. Respectively, they are the
producers of “Taste the Islands” culinary
and travel TV series, “The Taste the Islands
Experience” food and drink festival, the
“Reggae Reel” and “Pieces of Jamaica”
photo exhibitions, and the “Diversity in
Design, Art and Architecture” artist talk
series. The traveling exhibition is made
possible by partners including the Primary
Medical Care Centers, LOOP, Island TV,
Community Foundation of Broward,
Broward County Cultural Division,
History Fort Lauderdale, Broward County,
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Yellow Cab of Broward,
and other host partners who are committed
to honoring the cultural legacies of South
Florida’s Caribbean community.