Chef Brian Lumley gives Ugandans a taste of Jamaica

Renowned Jamaican Executive Chef Brian Lumley, celebrated for his culinary expertise, recently garnered significant attention in Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper. Lumley’s exceptional skills were showcased at a fine dining event orchestrated by the Consulate of Jamaica in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. The event aimed to highlight the pinnacle of Jamaican gastronomy, a mission that Lumley executed flawlessly, according to attendees. Michael Idusso, Jamaica’s honorary consul to Uganda, emphasized that the event was designed to present the best of Jamaican cuisine to Ugandan food enthusiasts. Daily Monitor journalist Gloria Haguma described the evening as a luxurious culinary journey, where each course was a masterpiece worth the anticipation. Lumley, assisted by students from Culinary School Uganda, crafted a five-course meal that artfully blended Jamaican and Ugandan flavors. The evening commenced with pre-cocktails featuring crispy pork belly adorned with sorrel glaze and jam. The main course included a jerk chicken roulade with callaloo and cheese, accompanied by baked apple and garden vegetables, followed by pimento-smoked beef tenderloin with Appleton buerre blanc. Haguma particularly praised the duo of purple sweet potato and pumpkin soup, noting that the event transcended a mere meal, evolving into a cultural exchange. Lumley, in an interview, highlighted the untapped potential of Ugandan cuisine and noted the shared ingredients between the two nations, attributing this to similar climates. He pointed out subtle differences in spice usage, with Jamaican cuisine favoring bolder flavors compared to Uganda’s more restrained approach.