SLICE OF BAJAN LIFE: A family’s taste of success

With cooperation many things can be achieved, and the happiness that goes with success can be shared. We saw examples of such values last Saturday when we turned into Fourth Avenue, Harts Gap, Christ Church. Turning into Harts Gap from Hastings Main Road, we eventually found the fourth avenue, which bore no sign, but just past the halfway mark in the gap the savoury scent of food caught our attention. Those who were busy serving looked welcoming and the patrons seemed content. The proprietor identified herself as Sonia Lashley-Murray, and introduced her husband Ormand and daughter Akeisha. Later, we were told that the couple had celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary last Thursday.Sonia informed us that she had registered the establishment as Darmarisha’s Catering, which was a derivative of her children’s names: Dwayne, Armari, Amario and Akeisha.Her husband came in for high praise for his support, encouragement and assistance. “He is my backbone. He works in the background,” she said of Ormand.   A separate conversation with Ormand revealed: “My wife always loved cooking and I am happy to assist because I love to see progress.”Akeisha, meanwhile, was highly visible as she served patrons. She looked committed.Sonia admitted that all of this would not have been possible without the co-operation of a neighbour who provided the space at which she operates. He preferred to stay incognito. For him, the pleasure of success was enough.For Sonia this enterprise was not a shot in the dark. She admitted to a great love for cooking while growing up. Her exposure to the culinary arts when she worked at Almond Beach Club also served to reinforce her love for cooking. The folks from surrounding areas seem to love Sonia’s cooking as well. As we sat there, people of all ages gradually came, some staying to chat with friends after consuming their meal or rushing off like the taxi drivers who kept passing.David Thorne, a neighbour and a regular, described the food as “good”, including delicacies such as grilled fish, barbecued chicken, barbecued pork chops, potato chips, macaroni pie, and a salad choice of breadfruit, Irish potato, sweet potato, pasta and lettuce. Sonia, determined to succeed, undertook a course of study in business with the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme. She reported that she had learnt a lot from that programme, including information on how to manage a business, balance the books, and deal with customers.One of her peers in the programme, Marilyn Barrow, confessed that she first came to patronise her friend’s business but now she keeps returning and inviting friends, including Lisa, who was born in the United States to Barbadian parents.“This is the best food I have had on this island except for my aunt’s, and she owns a restaurant, but I will be back,” said Lisa. She also noted: “One thing I love about Barbados is that you meet good people and you get good food.”     This summed up the story of the night.