Have you ever heard a song on the radio that takes you back to the summer you were searching for prom dresses with your Mum? Does the smell of mutton patties transport you back to the church your family would attend on Sunday mornings? Or maybe the refreshing flavour of mint reminds you of the chewing gum that your Nan always had stashed somewhere in her car?
Our senses have a remarkable ability to awaken cherished memories and emotions, linking us to our childhood and family moments. One of the most special connections for many families is the joy of gathering around the dinner table, where laughter, stories and love are shared along with the food, creating lasting bonds.Â
Growing up Black-British meant I was unfamiliar with a part of my identity. Although I was raised in a Caribbean household, I had never seen my homeland. My only experience was through the stories I heard from my parents and grandparents about what life was like before they migrated from Jamaica and St Kitts & Nevis. Caribbean food, for me, has always been a window into places I haven’t visited and has helped me connect with my heritage. It’s like tasting a home I’ve never been to.Â
A dish that sparks many treasured memories for me is Cornmeal Porridge – a staple breakfast food in the Caribbean. It reminds me of visiting my grandma’s house: it’s early morning, the sun is warming the kitchen window, and I can smell the bittersweet aroma of nutmeg as Grandma hums a hymn while she slowly stirs the cornmeal in the pot. Depending on whether it was the coarse or fine version of cornmeal, the texture of the porridge would differ. I liked the fine version best because my grandma prepared it in a way that made it sweet, thick and smooth. It’s a comforting childhood memory because it was time between us to bond, and she would do it every morning to show her love and care.Â
The older I got, the more I was taught how to cook specific recipes myself. My Dad was a chef, so he taught me not just the basics of cooking, but also some staple dishes in our family. Recipes for Mac and Cheese, Jerk Chicken and Rice & Peas were passed down to me; always served with a side of life lessons.Â
Those lessons made me realise food was never just about eating; it was about learning, sharing and connecting. That’s why I’m looking forward to Cooking with the Campbells, a light-hearted, four-part YouTube series where Belgrade’s Artistic Director, Corey Campbell, is taught how to cook traditional Caribbean dishes by his Mum.
Logan Powell – Assistant Camera Operator, Michael Ellis – Camera Operator, Clarita Campbell – Mom/ Head Chef, Corey Campbell – Son/ Apprentice Chef, and Simone Herbert – Producer/ Editor.
It’s full of laughter, family banter and flavour. Just the kind of memories that shaped my own childhood. Dishes like Saturday Soup, Jerk Chicken and Mac and Cheese take centre stage, showing us how food carries more than taste; it carries stories and togetherness.Â
My favourite savoury dish is Ackee and Saltfish, the national delicacy of my Jamaican heritage. I often enjoy it for dinner, accompanied by fried dumplings. I can still remember the strong, salty aroma of the codfish filling the air the night before. Flour would dust the table, and somehow it would get on my nose as I helped shape the dumplings into balls, just before they went into the oil to fry.Â
It feels fitting, then, that some of the same aromas will soon spill beyond the kitchen and into theatres to be experienced by audiences of After Sunday – a new co-production between Belgrade Theatre and the Bush Theatre – which will feature live cooking on stage. Â
Whilst the production (written by Sophia Griffin and directed by Corey Campbell) explores the themes of self-discovery, family, home and the comforting, healing power of food, the auditorium will be filled with some of the same smells I remember from my childhood kitchen.Â
Caribbean cuisine beautifully displays a vibrant mix of intense flavours inspired by African, European, Asian and Indigenous cultures. It stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and deep cultural identity, especially during times of migration, and the rich traditions behind Caribbean food emphasise its importance in celebrating cultural heritage and community. To me, it acts as a bridge to my Caribbean roots; a conversation with my family after church, an impactful childhood memory that unlocks a story and the taste of home.Â
Cooking with the Campbells will be available to watch on our YouTube page, with the first episode releasing on Thu 25Â Sep 2025.Â
Tickets for After Sunday can be purchased HEREÂ
