By Mia Anthony
At just 31 years old, Shanese Phoenix is blazing a trail in the vibrant culinary world of Barbados, capturing the hearts and palates of many with her passion and skill. Born with a love for cooking that she discovered at the tender age of six, Phoenix is a shining example of turning a childhood passion into a thriving career.
Hailing from a lineage of talented home cooks, she was the only one in her family to take her culinary talents to a professional level. Her passion for cooking was sparked early on by the women in her life, particularly her mother and aunt, whose kitchen creations left a lasting impression. “My mother used to bake cakes and do wedding cakes, and as I watched her, I picked up a few traits,” Phoenix recalled fondly.
Phoenix’s creations
This inspiration led to a defining moment in her life. At just six years old, Phoenix decided to surprise her mother with a homemade birthday cake. “When she woke up, I had a cake done and iced,” she beamed, recounting the pride of presenting her first culinary masterpiece.
However, like many young dreamers, Phoenix’s path was not always clear-cut. During her teenage years, she flirted with other ideas. “I actually wanted to be a doctor, but as I got older, I grew a much bigger love for cooking,” she admitted. This growing passion guided her towards culinary education. She attended Polytechnic for home economics and later enrolled in a hotel school, where she honed her skills further before diving headfirst into the world of hotel work.
Her culinary journey was far from easy, but with her mother as her steadfast supporter, Phoenix persevered. “My mom is my rock,” she said, reflecting on the times she considered giving up. Yet, her mother’s encouragement pushed her to keep going. Today, her hard work has paid off. She not only participates in Barbados’s culinary events but also represents her island on the global stage, travelling with the Barbados Culinary Team. “We went to Miami to compete, and I placed second in the competition. I met a lot of people from different Caribbean islands,” she proudly shared.
As she continues to make her mark, Phoenix’s mother remains her biggest fan, often helping out with preparations for big events. “I know my mom is very proud of me. She doesn’t do chef work anymore, but she still cooks because of me and helps out when I have big events. She’s right there alongside me, peeling onions and so on,” Phoenix said.
With the highly anticipated Barbados Food and Rum Festival on the horizon, Shanese Phoenix is gearing up to showcase her culinary artistry once again. The event, set to kick off on October 24, 2024, promises to be a culinary explosion, offering both locals and tourists a truly unique Bajan experience.
She admits that Barbados’s culinary industry is quite the competitive market but she is able to keep up by mastering current food trends and also blending them with the traditional style of cooking.
As Barbados’s culinary season approaches, Phoenix stands ready to continue her journey of excellence, poised to dazzle the world with her creativity and passion. The future is bright for this young chef, whose love for cooking not only honours her family’s legacy but also carves out a name for herself in the rich tapestry of Caribbean cuisine.
