What’s on your Christmas menu?
―Jamaican national anticipates 1st Guyanese Christmas
―Guyanese share holiday meal plans
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 24, 2019
A traditional Christmas meal in Jamaica bears no resemblance to what will be cooked in Guyanese kitchens both home and abroad. For George Hill, a national from the land of reggae, his first Guyanese Christmas is going to be strikingly different.
When asked what is usually cooked in his home for Christmas, George said, “we cook ackee and saltfish and curry-goat for dinner.”
George was flanked with his wife, Karen Kennedy who promised to ensure his first Christmas in Guyana remains memorable.
“I’m gonna give him some nice Guyanese pepperpot with the Pomeroon Cassareep inside… and then some nice local bread, baked in my oven. When I done with him and he drink the blackwater he must come back,” Karen gleefully stated.
DPI also heard from Treiston Joseph who was running errands on Regent Street. According to Treiston, “you can’t question, the day starting with pepperpot, but of all, I think in the kitchen I’ll be helping my wife. I’ll be helping her probably cook some baked macaroni and cheese, some baked fish, some baked chicken.”
While Treiston is unsure about what rice they will have on Christmas Day, he is looking forward to the baked custard, turkey and ham.
Another shopper, Anita Geoffrey, says a Guyanese Christmas is impossible without certain meals. Her food preparation is already underway.
“Pepperpot, garlic pork, black cake. Christmas Day is bake chicken, macaroni and cheese, your salad,” Anita remarked as she noted a glass of wine is also essential.
Christmas this year is a particularly special one for Guyanese given the unprecedented tax-free retroactive increases public servants received this month. And with the recent start of oil production Guyanese have a lot to be joyful this Christmas.