171: Breaking Down the Myth of a Singular Caribbean Foodway with Chef Leigh-Ann Martin

When it comes to Caribbean food, there tends to be a viewpoint that it can be a monolithic culinary experience. And particularly as those living in countries like Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, or other Caribbean countries move in the diaspora, it necessitates a nuanced look at how culinary traditions and knowledges are shared, shifted, and expanded with new generations.

My guest today, chef Leigh-Ann Martin, reminds us that there is such a rich regional diversity and abundance that needs to be explored more fully. Leigh-Ann is a trained chef, thought leader, and senior administrative professional based in the New York City area. She has worked at top finance and accounting firms, and continues her corporate career while consulting on the coursework for the No Words Project, or being featured in food media such as The New York Times, Eater, Washington Post, Food Insider, Vittles, and A Hungry Society podcast. Leigh-Ann has contributed meaningful words that echo Caribbean abundance and delicious recipes for While Entertaining, Ark Republic, Cooking Sense, and Tenderly Magazine. She worked as a line cook at Butter Restaurant and the Darby Supper Club upon her graduation from culinary school, and launched A Table For Four in 2018. This pop-up is an intimate dinner series that merges her Trini upbringing with her culinary training. Most recently, Leigh-Ann was invited to lead a workshop at the World of Flavors International Conference and Festival hosted by the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, CA. and has served on the board of Kind Kitchen Group, which aims to drive social change through food, education, and community empowerment.

In today's conversation, we explore her upbringing in Trinidad and its lasting influences on how she thinks about ingredient sourcing and culinary experiences, the navigation of personal and collective histories in creating tasting menus, and breaking down the myth of a singular Caribbean culinary foodway. I've long admired the work Leigh-Ann is doing, so I am particularly thrilled to have her on the podcast this week!

Resources:

• Website: https://leighannmartin.com/
• Instagram: @chefleighann