Damita Miller-Shanklin, Editor-in-Chief

When it comes to Jamaican cuisine, the mouthwatering flavors, vibrant colors, and rich cultural history combine to create a food experience like no other. One individual who has taken it upon herself to share the secrets of this tasty cuisine with the world is Chef Irma, also known as Irma Gottshalk, the mastermind behind the upcoming cookbook titled “Bless Up! Respect, and Manners: Cook and Eat Jamaican Cuisine Weekly.” We go into Chef Irma’s love for cooking, the inspiration behind her cookbook, the significance of Jamaican dishes, and how she hopes her cookbook will contribute to a better understanding of Jamaican culture through food.

Chef Irma’s passion for cooking didn’t originate from childhood; instead, it developed later in life as a response to the responsibilities she faced as a young woman in Jamaica. In Jamaican culture, cooking is often considered a female duty, and Chef Irma viewed it as such. However, as she began to explore the kitchen and create dishes of her own, her perspective changed. She discovered a love for cooking, the creativity it gave her, and the happiness of serving delicious meals. This new passion led her to launch her catering service, iGott Flava Catering, LLC, after her Jamaican restaurant venture.

Chef Irma’s cookbook Bless Up! Respect, and Manners: Cook and Eat Jamaican Cuisine Weekly is a testament to her love for Jamaican cuisine and a way to honor her daughter’s memory. The book showcases a collection of traditional Jamaican recipes alongside lesser-known dishes, giving readers a total experience of the country’s food culture. It serves as a bridge to connect people with the delicious and nutritionally dense nature of Jamaican dishes.

Choosing the recipes for her cookbook was an accurate process. Chef Irma started with popular Jamaican dishes, such as jerk chicken, curry chicken, and oxtails, which many people are already familiar with. These dishes are the cornerstones of Jamaican cuisine, but the cookbook goes further. Chef Irma includes recipes that introduce readers to lesser-known Jamaican dishes like “Ackee and Saltfish” and “Green Bananas,” emphasizing the nutritional density and cultural significance of these foods.

Chef Irma’s cookbook goes beyond just recipes. It tells the story of how and why these dishes are prepared, offering readers a deeper understanding of Jamaican culture. Take, for instance, “callaloo,” a green leafy vegetable that is easy to prepare and often served with saltfish. This dish carries historical significance and showcases the importance of vegetables in Jamaican cuisine. It’s a prime example of the nutritionally dense nature of Jamaican food.

Spices play a crucial role in Jamaican cooking, and Chef Irma is passionate to share these flavors with the world. She highlights the use of spices like scallion, onion, thyme, pimento, nutmeg, and garlic in Jamaican cuisine. The “Jamaican spice blend” is a combination of these aromatic ingredients, which are skillfully combined to create a distinct and flavorful seasoning for various dishes, making them a culinary delight.

The cookbook also introduces readers to traditional Jamaican ingredients such as “breadfruit,” and “yellow yam.” These starchy ingredients provide a nutritional richness that contrasts with empty calories, emphasizing that Jamaican food is both delicious and healthy.

Of course, no culinary journey through Jamaica would be complete without a taste of the country’s famous desserts. One standout dessert is the “rum cake,” known locally as “black cake.” Unlike the American fruitcake, Jamaican rum cake is rich with history. The fruits are blended with rum or wine, preserved for years, and later used to create the intoxicating delicious cake. It’s a prime example of how Jamaican culture celebrates not only savory but also sweet flavors.

Chef Irma’s mission with her cookbook is clear: to make Jamaican cuisine accessible to everyone. She wants people to understand that Jamaican food is nutritionally dense, delicious, and culturally significant. She encourages readers to incorporate Jamaican dishes into their weekly meal plans and discover the world of flavors that await them. The cookbook, “Bless Up! Respect, and Manners: Cook and Eat Jamaican Cuisine Weekly,” will be available on Amazon starting on November 11. For those looking to learn more and connect with Chef Irma, her website https://www.chefirmablessings.com/ will be a valuable resource.

In conclusion, Chef Irma’s journey into the heart of Jamaican cuisine is an exploration of passion, culture, and history. Her cookbook offers a window into the world of flavors that define Jamaica and invites us all to enjoy the nutritious and delicious wonders of this unique cuisine. It’s an opportunity to discover the true meaning of “Bless Up! Respect, and Manners” through food and cooking. Chef Irma’s culinary journey is an ode to the diversity and richness of Jamaican culture, and her cookbook is the key to unlocking the treasure trove of Jamaican flavors.

Make sure you get your copy of the book and plan your Jamaican meals weekly.