-says cooking makes her happy, keeps the aches and pains away

VERBEANA Thomas is a woman of pride and integrity who doesn’t sit by idly. At 74 years old, she is still holding down a permanent job as a breakfast cook at a popular food business in Calcutta Village, Mahaicony.

It has been two years now since she found permanent employment and she is more than happy because her skills are put to good use, and she is well-loved at her place of work.

“Aunty V” or “Miss V” as she is fondly called is a very energetic woman who isn’t defined by her age. Her spritely demeanour and childlike character are refreshingly complimented by a warm smile, and she is widely regarded as a learnt elder.

When she is not at work, she is at home doing the most in her kitchen garden and around the house, always finding chores to complete and other tasks.

Thomas told the Guyana Chronicle that she likes to do something to work out the aches and pains in her body. Though she is often reminded that she is no longer young, refuses to let illness overcome her.

She stated that she used to work at the rice mill at Burma Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and after she was retrenched after working there for 12 years, she was at home doing nothing.

However, two years ago, she gained employment at a food business located three houses away from her home. It was within walking distance and convenient for her, so she was happy to have a job.

Thomas is the cook behind the breakfast meals which include bake and salted fish, stuffed chicken bakes, bake and cheese, roti and curry, among several other creole dishes which are on the menu.

“I came here a morning to ask whether there was any vacancy for a cook, and the owner, my neighbour said yes you can come and work. I used to make pholurie and sour for him to sell at his shop almost every day, so I was elated when he said there is a job here for you Miss V,” she said

Thomas reported that she would show up for the 06:00hrs shift every day except on Saturdays and Sundays she would go in for 18:00hrs and work until she completes all the food items she was asked to prepare.

“I always like cooking, I would be in my kitchen making something every day because I grew up watching my mother cook as a girl and as I became an adult I knew how to cook,” she said.

Thomas pointed out that waking up daily knowing she has purpose in life motivates her to set about accomplishing goals and walking to work is even better.

“I can say that this job has transformed my life because I was at home with time on my hands and I needed something extra to occupy my time,” she said.

The mother of six revealed that if she was sitting at home doing nothing, she would become ill. She said she likes to keep herself occupied, pointing out that she doesn’t have to work out of necessity.

She has her own house and two of her grandchildren are staying with her as added company since living alone can be boring.

Every day, after 15:00hrs Thomas would go in her kitchen garden to tend to her fruits and vegetables she would sell in the village or give away to neighbours when they are plentiful.

THE HEAD COOK

Meanwhile, Shondell McInroy, the head cook for Terrence Delight, the same place Miss V works, has been on the job since 2017.

She is responsible for the smooth operations in the kitchen as well as preparing certain dishes such as fried rice, beef cook-up-rice, and other foods in large quantities especially if they have a big order for catering.

McInroy explained that she learned to cook as a girl when she went by her aunt in Perth Village, Mahaicony to spend holidays.

They used to make barbeque to sell and she became involved in the household cooking activities during that time.

She realised she liked cooking and even got a job as a cook at Burma Guesthouse. During the 15 years she was there, she was able to enhance her culinary skills to an acceptable standard.

“Being in the kitchen is my happy place, making dishes from scratch is everything and seeing the more than pleased reaction of customers when eating the finished product (foods) brings me joy,” she said.