Banana Boat, Doncaster (DN1)

A Taste of Sunshine

(Source: Doncaster Free Press - Published Date: 26 September 2007)

A COOK is going back to her roots to bring Doncaster its first taste of the Caribbean.

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Beverley Townsend, whose parents were born in Jamaica, is all set to open the town’s first Caribbean restaurant. It will be called The Banana Boat in honour of the men, like Beverley’s own grandad, who came to this country from the Caribbean after the war and who often travelled on cargo boats carrying bananas.

Beverley, aged 43, of St Catherine’s Avenue, Balby, learnt the art of Caribbean cooking from her mother and will be using some favourite family recipes in the restaurant, which is scheduled to open next month. She said: “I started to learn to cook at the age of 11 and I can’t wait to bring Caribbean food to Doncaster. Everybody’s had Indian and Chinese so hopefully this will be something new for everyone to try.”

Beverley is one of eight children. Her four older siblings were born in Jamaica, but Beverley and the other three youngest were born in Doncaster. She has wanted to open her own restaurant for a long time and has been studying at Doncaster College to get all the qualifications necessary for running it.

The premises at Copley Road will be decorated in bright colours with the traditional Jamaican flag colours of black, gold and green much in evidence. Traditional food on the menu will include ackee and salt fish, chicken, rice and peas, jerk pork and curried goat, Beverley’s own personal favourite.

“Upstairs will be a place where people can go and relax after their meal and listen to some reggae music and just chill,” she said.

“We’ll be serving Caribbean cocktails and the Jamaican Red Stripe beer.”

Banana dishes will be a theme of the restaurant. Starters will include banana and plantain chips served with dips, there will be a banana boat pudding and the cocktails will include banana daiquiri. The menu will include lots of fish dishes too, like red snapper, steamed salmon and mackerel and there will also be vegetarian options, like green bananas and yams in coconut cream.

Beverley, who has three children and a grandson, will be getting help from her family and friends in running the restaurant and her sister Louise Harwood will also be cooking. Beverley will be getting her authentic ingredients, such as Jamaican curry powder, from a supplier in Birmingham and is looking forward to introducing new tastes to everyone, not just those from the Caribbean community.

As well as serving her family recipes in The Banana Boat, she is also going to be offering outside catering for private parties. She said: “I can cook for people’s dinner parties at home or for larger events and special occasions. Also, if someone comes into the restaurant and says they haven’t time to wait to eat their meal I will be offering a take out service.”