UBTR excites appetites with Food Week menu

Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records in St Andrew has brought back an ‘oldie but goodie’ tradition, treating palates to exciting offerings from its Food Week menu.

“We have always participated in Food Week over the years. Although it is no longer in existence, we continue to find creative ways to produce new menus during this time. It was important for us to let our customers come and enjoy special dishes that were out of the box and weren’t currently on our savoury and sweet line-up. This year was no different,” executive chef Trishauna McMaine told Food.

With their Montego Bay location closed following a fire last Saturday, it is St Andrew leading the charge. Taking the tantalising spotlight for the grand occasion is a lobster bisque with a fried wonton dumpling. And that’s just one of the appetisers. Other starters include an apple pecan tropical harvest, a wholesome salad featuring grilled chicken, served with a jackfruit vinaigrette, and the north coast crab back, a stuffed crab back with a signature Scotch bonnet rémoulade sauce.

The main course includes enticing twists on foodie favourites such as the surf and turf with the pork and lobster tide and surf, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes. There is also the irie jerked salmon; coconut-crusted fish fillet, served on a bed of avocado salad and jasmine rice; tropical herb-roasted chicken supreme and Kingston Reserve baby rack of lamb.

And to satisfy that sweet tooth, the decadent island-spiced pumpkin cheesecake, topped with roasted pecans, is an absolute must-have. It is also a great idea to try the cinnamon coast churros with coconut ice cream.

Chef McMaine explained that the new menu came to fruition through the creative culinary team located both in Kingston and the second branch in Montego Bay, before the fire at the Jimmy Cliff Boulevard location. “We both joined creative forces to come up with this wonderful menu we have today,” McMaine said.

This new menu has been running since last Friday and will go on until this Sunday, November 30. So far, the response has been good. “Each table that orders from the menu, I come out from the kitchen, interact, and I ask how the meal was. And customers have been giving good feedback so far. Right now, persons are gravitating towards the pork and lobster tide and turf, coconut-crusted fish fillet and the Kingston Reserve baby rack of lamb,” she shared.

Cooking from the age of 10 years old, Chef McMaine became a member of the UBTR team as a cook a few years ago, where she moved up the ranks to become a supervisor. She went on to become a sous chef, transitioned to senior sous chef and finally established herself as the restaurant’s executive chef. “I’ve worked my way up the chain. And I have loved every moment of it. It is certainly true when they say if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life, because it doesn’t feel like work to me,” she added.

The executive chef hopes that those who visit the St Andrew location for Food Week will appreciate the innovation and creativity behind the delightful dishes. “UBTR offers a different taste and a different vibe. Once you come through the door of Tracks and Records, you should expect real Jamaican flavour, found in the music, the ambience and the herbs and spices placed in each and every meal,” said McMaine.

As for Tracks and Records’ western location, Nicholas Taylor, general manager, Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records, said the company is awaiting the formal report from the Jamaica Fire Brigade regarding the fire. “We have now been granted access to the building and are currently assessing the damages, which unfortunately appear to be extensive. As we receive further details, we will provide updates to keep everyone informed,” said Taylor, thanking patrons for their understanding and continued support.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com