51 Duke Street, Chelmsford

Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm - 10pm

Chelmsford High Street (opposite McDonald’s) Chelmsford

Every Friday & Saturday 9am - 5pm

Anglia Ruskin University

Tuesday & Thursday 10am - 4pm

Caribbean &

African Food

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Order Line: 01245 348950

About Jerk Station

It is 2023, we have made it.

We are full of hope and enthusiasm. It is an opportunity for a fresh start. Some take up ‘new year resolutions’, others set new goals and commit to pursuing new accomplishments.

However, it is said that 80% of New Year resolutions fall by middle of February. The fact is that, there will be times when you will fall short of your own expectations. We all do, it is inevitable.

Rather than beat yourself up and wallow in self-pity or anger, take a deep breath and chill out for the day.

The truth is that every day brings its own opportunities for us to have another go! As you wind down your ‘not so great day’ allow yourself a huge smile and remember that tomorrow is a new day!

Self Love

JANUARY BLUES -

As we begin to emerge from the doldrums of the January blues, we also eagerly urge February to roll on. There is an excitement in the air.

A quiet, steady tempo, a mellow rumbling beneath the surface everywhere. You begin to see clips on social media talking about Valentine’s day; a number of the high street shops start adorning their windows with several red-heart themed displays; jewellery shops go gaga tempting us with amazing offers to splash out; we begin to see several events being advertised; restaurants start encouraging us to book a table to enjoy their special Valentine package.  As it picks up pace and rises to a crescendo, we realise it is almost February 14th, St. Valentine’s day! A day most of the world dedicates to expressing love and affection towards partners, friends and family.

 

WHOSE CAMP ARE YOU ON?

This realisation invariably thrusts us into one or more camps. You have those ‘in love’ purring in anticipation. They are bouncy, energised, expecting something special, and in turn, hunting down something special for one another.

You have those who have ‘been there, done it, got the t-shirt’ and not at all fussed about the day. It is not particularly special, they will have a relatively quiet day and life goes on.

You have those who see it as an ideal opportunity to find their very own Valentine. They search for where ‘it is happening’ and commit to finding love or at least, a date. Whatever happens they are bent on having a good time that night. Typically, work colleagues of this group would have a few ‘sickies’ the morning after (in those days when we all had to go into the office)

You also have those who have ‘been there, done it, and did not bother with the t-shirt’ because love was not quite what it was cracked up to be. They will gladly pass up on it and in fact might be mildly irritated by all the ‘noise’.

You then have those who are desperately feeling lonely, left out, unloved, abandoned. They would like to have someone to love, and someone to love them back. They would love to be appreciated, encouraged, commended, showered with gifts, and ‘made to feel special’.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD:

Whether the annual day of love gives you feelings of excitement or makes you roll your eyes, it’s hard to deny that food is always at the centre of a successful V-Day.

No matter where you go in the world, food and love are always closely linked. The countries in Africa are no exception, and many of them have delicious delicacies that are perfect for your upcoming romantic evening.

Show your love this Valentine’s Day by trying out these African eats!

Grilled Meats

All over Africa, you will easily find a cherished dish featuring grilled meats. Nigeria’s suya, a dish composed of meat skewers covered in a special blend of spices, is usually served in the evenings in Nigeria when the weather cools down and the nightlife heats up. In Kenya, any social gathering is an excuse to eat nyama choma, a wildly popular meat dish, best enjoyed with an ice-cold beer.

With so many tasty options to choose from, you can’t go wrong by choosing one of Africa’s meatiest meals. Grab one of these incredibly delicious dishes on the next outing with your significant other, and let the incredible combination of flavours add some spice to your Valentine’s Day.

Plantain

Whether you call it kelewele, alloco, makemba, or dodo, fried plantain is all the rage in several African countries. Usually served at parties, fried plantain is best enjoyed with a side of peanuts or as a side dish. If the taste alone isn’t enough to entice you, the gorgeous smell of this delightful dish will truly be beyond compare.

The sweetness of the plantain coupled with the aromatic and savoury seasonings is a tantalizing combination that you and your love will not be able to resist.

What’s Valentine’s Day without a selection of sweet treats? Virtually every African country has its own version of a donut, and each is just as scrumptious as the next. The ingredients will vary by country, but it goes without saying that sweet balls of dough fried lightly in oil and dusted with sugar are a perfect dessert.

These light, fluffy, and irresistible pastries go by many names – Ghanaians call it bofrot, Kenyans and Ugandans refer to it as mandazi, and Nigerians seek out puff puff when the sweet tooth comes calling. With the perfect balance of sweet and savoury, these pillowy delights should not be overlooked when you dine with your dear one during Valentine week.

Drop Doughnuts

YOU ARE SPECIAL:

However, regardless of whichever group you identify with, we all have one thing in common. We are all special!!! You are very, very special. You are so special that in a world with a population of just under 8 Billion people, there is NO ONE ELSE LIKE YOU. You are an ORIGINAL. Understanding this is fundamental. Until you can come to terms with your priceless worth, it is unlikely you will find true happiness, joy and contentment, whether you are in, or out of a relationship.

You may not feel special. You may look around you and be unhappy with your body, with your looks, with your finances, with your education, with your personality, with your job, with your social standing, with your social skills, with your family, friends, associates, or with any number of ‘shortcomings’. You may feel that you don’t deserve much better and that perhaps life has dealt you an unfair hand. The truth is that what we lack is everywhere, what is bad is everywhere. But so is what we have, and so is what is good. Did you know that 3.1 million children die of starvation a year? (www.theworldcounts.com). A research published on 12 May 2022 shows that 90,000 people die in poverty here in the UK each year!

As Tony Robbins says, we do not experience life, we experience the life we focus on. If you shift your focus away from what you are lacking, and begin to focus on what you have, you will probably have a different experience and appreciation of what you have, who you are, and how special you are.

SELF LOVE:

Until you can love and value yourself, it is unlikely you can love another person, nor can anyone else love you. You cannot give what you don’t have, and you cannot appreciate what you do not know. Love is an inside job. It starts with self love, and overflows out to the world.  Love is much deeper than romantic love.  Without deep, selfless devotion and giving, it is only lust!

So, if there is one thing you do this Valentine period, let it be to love yourself first. Be grateful for what you have, and who you are. You have so much to be grateful. For instance, you are reading this Blog. Do you know that over 7 million adults in England cannot read and write? Is your life perfect? Of course not, can it be better? Absolutely! But you’ve also got a lot going for you. Get cracking!

PS - To celebrate you and show some love, I am giving you a special gift throughout this month of February 2023. Please click here to receive 14% off any meal of your choice from our menu to treat yourself and/or a loved one.  

(No extra bonuses for guessing why 14%!)

ONE LOVE!

See you next month …..