Ras Trevor - the master chef

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

THEY SAY that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Well, Ras Trevor is a man who knows all about that as through many adversities, with his back against the wall, he created a job for himself in order to provide for his family.

He does this by operating a cookshop in Royal Flat, Manchester, which is one of the popular 'lunch-time spot' in that town.

A past student of Bellefield High in the parish, he worked as a construction worker after leaving school.

Through the recent recession and, particularly, due to the closure of the Windalco Kirkvine plant, work became harder to come by for Ras Trevor. In the given situation, he had to do his 'next best'.

"Things just became rough for me," he explained. "I have my family; at the time four kids and my lady to look after. So I had no choice but to do something else because if one thing is not working, you have to try something else."

Ras Trevor made the decision to set up the cookshop in Royal Flat, the neighbouring town of his community, Williamsfield. "That decision (to establish the cookshop) was easy for me because cooking is something that I always enjoy doing from I was very young," Ras Trevor disclosed.

The 'master chef' is well known for 'stirring up' some real tasty meals for his customers. He specialises in lunch, from seafood dishes such as fish done in a variety of styles, jerked chicken, ackee and salt fish, roasted breadfruit, among other Jamaican delights, including vegetable dishes.

"I get my support from customers in Royal Flat here and passers-by, taxi men, especially," he said. "Things are slow but I give thanks for the little that I make still which enable me to look after my family."

Financial help

Ras Trevor now has five children, three girls and two boys. One is attending college, one goes to junior high school, one attends primary school, one early childhood, and his youngest child, a boy.

Commenting on what he would wish for in his present situation, he said. "Well, it would have made a great difference if I got some help financially to set up my business in a professional manner. I am a hard-working man and food is an area that must sell, so it is a viable business.

He added: "I think the Government should look out for people like me who are not just sitting down and saying, 'Nutten nah gwaan', but someone who is trying.

If you go to a place for help right now, even for a loan, they are going to say you don't have any collateral."

rural@gleanerjm.com