How 3 Chefs Are Redefining Thanksgiving And Celebrating Black Traditions Through Culinary Innovation - Page 3

2. Avan’ye West // Jerk Turkey and Seafood

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Avan’ye West, a personal chef who has worked with high-profile clients like NBA legend Allen Iverson, is bringing her Caribbean heritage to the Thanksgiving table this year. Known for her vibrant dishes, West is serving up favorites like curry seafood, shrimp, and a flavorful Jerk Turkey, BET reported. The Jerk Turkey is a tribute to the iconic Jerk Chicken, a dish with deep roots in Jamaica, where the indigenous Arawak and Taíno tribes first developed the method of cooking meat over an open wood fire, according to Rutgers University.

The term “jerk” is believed to come from the Spanish word charqui, referring to dried strips of meat similar to jerky. The jerk seasoning itself is a tantalizing blend of Scotch bonnet peppers, cinnamon, garlic, onion, nutmeg, and other aromatic spices, creating a bold and unforgettable flavor profile.

“We do a jerk turkey. You have to season it up days prior to make sure you have all of the seasonings nicely mixed in to avoid bland taste,” West told BET. She also uses jerk to spice other classic Caribbean dishes.

“I like getting creative. I view myself as a creative chef. So, I’ll do things like if we have leftover Oxtail, I might make Oxtail burritos the next day or Oxtail tacos. If we make curry goat or have some jerk turkey left over, I’ll slice the meat and add it as protein to a salad. I’ve made jerk egg rolls before. I’ve made like an Oxtail fried rice days later,” she added.