– Minister Persaud
MINISTER of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud was, on Thursday, presented with a cookbook ‘Tastes Like Home–My Caribbean Cookbook’, as part of the Agriculture Ministry’s ‘Grow More Food’ campaign. The compilation authored by Ms. Cynthia Nelson and containing recipes which use local produce, was handed over in the Ministry Boardroom, Regent and Vlissengen Roads, Georgetown.
Accepting it, Persaud congratulated the author on her timely achievement. And said: “I see this as an additional incentive. You have ‘Caribbeanised’ our cuisine at a time when we, ourselves, are pushing for a greater market share, within CARICOM, for the agriculture produce that we have.”
He remarked that persons are more inclined to relate better to food than they would to produce and, as such, the compendium will serve as a great marketing tool in the effort to promote local produce.
About the marketing approach, Persaud said: “We are, currently, looking at a new strategy to tap into the Caribbean market and, certainly, this will augment the efforts that we are making.”
He said, even locally, the aim is to give people a wide variety of tastes and choices, so that they do not lose touch with the classic, unique nature of the Guyanese Cuisine and how the ingredients can be used.
As to the benefits of appreciating local, Persaud said: “In the time of rising food prices, when we want to reduce our dependency, within the region as a whole, I am sure that this book will give us tips on how we can use what we have to satisfy our appetite in a very nutritious way.”
He encouraged Nelson to become a spokesperson for Guyana and things Guyanese and said, in doing so, she would be an ambassador of the Agriculture Sector.

International map
The overseas based Nelson said one of the aims of the book is to place Guyanese on the international map.
“The concept behind this book is to chronicle the foods that I was accustomed to eating while I was in Guyana and you will realise that not only is it Caribbean but it is a Guyanese cookbook,” she explained.
Nelson said the recipes feature ingredients which can be found in the Caribbean and overseas based Guyanese can easily access.
The book is divided into two sections, a recipe section and a memoir section where the writer shares personal memories to help people understand Caribbean food and lifestyle.
Some parts focus on food, events and special festivals and others are recollections of life in the Caribbean.
Among the recipes, readers and cooks are treated to step-by-step guides on how to make roti, conky, Christmas cake, the perfect baked ham, dhal puri and coconut drops.
Copies of ‘Tastes Like Home’ are on sale at Austin’s Book Store or can be sourced through Amazon.com.