Jamrock Grill and Culture Mix Arts share Caribbean story for Windrush

In the lead up to June 22, the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Windrush period, Connor interviewed two Reading businesses that showcase Carribbean culture.

Connor Lee wrote:

We used this opportunity as a reflection and celebration of the continued contribution of individuals from the community towards Reading, and British culture.

We also asked the question: “What does this anniversary mean to you, and how important is it that we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Windrush?”

Culture Mix Arts

Culture mix arts specialises in Caribbean music and carnival arts. It is the homebase of the highly acclaimed RASPO (Reading all Steel Percussion Orchestra), a provider of education through partnerships with schools, and through hosting workshops.

It is also an organizer and host for music events. When deciding on a location for opening this company, Reading was a sure decision for Mary Genis, the artistic director, and Founder.

"Reading has the diverse make-up needed to support black culture, much more than most other places in this part of the country", Mary said.

Born in Britain, with family roots in Trinidad, a classically trained pianist and cello player, she began to branch out into steel pan, a music which originates in Trinidad and Tobago.

For a long time, she felt that in the UK there wasn’t easy access to steel pan, in terms of getting involved, finding other band members, and accessing instruments. For over 20 years, she has played in, orchestrated, and spread knowledge and skills in the art of the steel pan.

In doing so, Mary, and those she has worked with over the years, have influenced the cultural landscape of Britain, through steel pan, and through their work in other genres such as reggae and dance.

As an artistic expression it is egalitarian in its essence. "One doesn’t need to attend a conservatoire, or be able to read music, or have a lot of prior knowledge before playing the steel pan.

"It can be accessed by varying levels of ability, including the neurodivergent. It is an opportunity for everybody, regardless of their background, to participate in an orchestra."

"Through performance, participation, education, employment, entertainment, we are giving people the opportunity to have experiences in a safe space, where every creed and color is welcome to come and celebrate Caribbean culture in a positive way. We welcome everybody, to come and do inspiring, meaningful activity to enrich their lives."

For Mary, this anniversary is hugely important. "We’re all a product of the generation. We’re advocating celebrating Caribbean culture” For Paul, the music director, who was born in Britain, and with Jamaican heritage, “This is a point of reference for the younger generation.

"I see Caribbean culture only going to be stronger and in the forefront of people’s minds in the UK, with a lot of people exposing the culture on mainstream media, in places you don’t normally see it."

For its business director, Nathifa, it is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the huge contribution the people of the Caribbean have brought to British culture. 

For Nathifa, a person of Bajan heritage, Reading is "home away from home", with Reading hosting the largest Bajan population outside Barbados, and the town being twinned with the city of Speightstown in Barbados.

On the anniversary, Culture Mix Arts will be hosting an event with RASPO, which will be an open, ticketed event. In the meantime they will be continuing with their regular workshops.

Jamrock Grill

When you walk into Jamrock grill you are first stunned with the smell of herbs, spices, and baked goods. Reggae, dub, and dance blares in the kitchen. A print of Bob Marley in Rastafarian colors decorates the walls. Jerome, its owner, is a proud Jamaican.

"I feel incredibly lucky to be born into that culture, and I am very proud of our cuisine. This anniversary is particularly special because it is close to the 1st year anniversary of us opening. It has always been my dream of opening an authentic Jamaican restaurant", Jerome said.

There are no corners cut. Everything must be done correctly and traditionally. He invited me into the kitchen, and introduced me to his warm and friendly team.

We went to the outdoor bbq which runs year round. There are many delicious items on the menu, but one of its most popular, and the possibly the most familiar Caribbean dish in Britain, is the jerk chicken.

"The key is time. We bbq our chicken for up to an hour. It is barbequed on our jerk pan, the traditional Jamaican way. One of which is handmade. We use specially imported coal to give it the taste and aroma we want."

With time, and a steady heat, the meat cooks evenly making the meat soft, juicy and tender.

It is not quite like the tropical paradise back home. Usually in a warm jacket, a hat and a scarf, the boss of the grill, Uncle Junior patiently watches over his fire year round, often through cold, rain and snow.

He teaches me how they use the bbq pan like an oven, to smoke the chicken. The result is a burst of rich smokiness across your palette with each bite.

"We make our own marinade, we cut the chicken in a certain way, and stuff it in the marinading process, so that the flavour reaches through the whole chicken."

This makes the dish intensely flavoursome, with flavour to be found right down to the bone. The blend of herbs, spices, and peppers delivers a rich, sweet, sharp, taste, with a subtle amount of spiciness.

It rests on a bed of, and is balanced out with the famously fragrant and hearty rice and peas. A zesty brightness is brought into the mix with the homemade coleslaw.

Every stage of cooking is crucial, and the painstaking effort to do everything properly is a testament to the pride in which Jerome and his team have for their food and their culture. They have been passed down method and recipe from their mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers.

This is the food of their home, brought right to the British high street. For obvious reasons, Jamaican, and Caribbean cuisine has made a lasting impact on British culture, as can be found in the availability of Caribbean products today in the UK, and the prevalence of restaurants such as this.