The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England — Atlantis chef Arvin Humes was sidelined for a couple of days with sickness, but he’s back and in the kitchen cooking a variety of Bahamian dishes for the many persons who stop in on a daily basics at the Bahamas Rock to meet and greet Bahamians attending the 2012 Olympic Games.

Humes, pictured, an executive sous chef at Atlantis, has the task of preparing enough food for at least 30 persons. It’s a task that he said he wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

“It was slow at the beginning. The challenge was setting it up properly,” he said. “Once we hit the ground, we hit the ground running. It was a challenge, but I had a lot of help from the workers here at Bahamas House who are assisting the British High Commissioner (Paul Farquharson). Once I got started, I had a little setback with sickness, but I’m back and in business again.”

Having ran out of the supply of seafood that he brought with him, Humes spends each morning visiting the local market for snappers, groupers, chicken and other items to produce an array of Bahamian dishes.

On Wednesday, during a visit to the Bahamas House for lunch, Humes had prepared chicken and dumplings, carrots and pasta with ginger apple vegetables, seafood pasta and rum glazed fresh pork and tossed salad with homemade dressing. It was so delicious that I found myself going back for seconds.

There’s no set menu when you visit the house.

“I just decide on what I will cook when I go to the market early in the morning,” said Humes, who also takes into consideration the very small and compact kitchen that he has to use. “I’m only able to do my best, but if they can back down and say they need some more, I try my best to get it ready in sufficient time for everybody to eat.”

Having worked at Atlantis under this type of pressure, Humes said he’s been able to manage his duties in the kitchen quite well.

“It’s nothing strange to me. On my level, I’ve been able to adapt and produce the best that I could,” he said.

After eating the food today, I have to agree with him.

I hope to return today to see what’s next on the menu.

As for Humes, he’s just delighted to see the smiles on everyone’s face after they’ve eaten his tasty treats.

“Wouldn’t trade this in for anything in the world,” he said. “I’m enjoying it.”