Chef G’s Bake Sale

The food and beverage industry is constantly teeming with activity as more and more young chefs coming out of TTHTI (Trinidad & Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute) adopt and embrace entrepreneurial attitudes towards finding their place within the industry. Social media plays an integral role in facilitating the connection between local artisans and consumers making the path to purchase more seamless and making goods and services more accessible than ever before. Chef Gerard Marquez is but one of the many young chefs in Trinidad & Tobago using his online presence to ply his wares and we love to see it.

Chef Gerard Marquez

I can’t remember when exactly I met Gerard aka Chef G aka Bobo aka Rasta, but I know the first time we collaborated was back in 2015 when I put together a team that came to be known as “Ban Danias” to compete in the Tongs On Fire grilling competition, which we won by the way, #humblebrag. Gerard has not stopped being busy since, from working with Fanatic Kitchen Studio to Our Moving Table, doing pop ups in various events and working as a private chef, you would have to wonder when does he get time to rest. Those who know him will tell you that he is a hard worker who is truly dedicated to his craft and extremely passionate about what he does and it helps a lot that the man can cook. Gerard is known for being bold in his experiments, fusing local flavors and ingredients with Indian and Middle Eastern spices and cuisines.  So when Chef G announces a bake sale, you carve out an hour or two out of your day to go check it out because it is guaranteed to be good.

Gerard and I both share an affinity for all things baigan (eggplant), so naturally the first box he opened and said “eh Dawi ah have de real ting dey” was the Baigan Flatbread

My sister asked me to pick up some stuff for her and the Chocolicious Banana Loaf was at the top of that list

Had to try one or two…. ok ok, two or three of his savory pies: Geera Braised Beef Pies, Tandoori Fish & Aloo Pies and the Moroccan Lamb Pies

I was tempted to try the Passion Fruit Custard Tart but had to exercise some restraint.

Of course my bake sale experience would not be complete without having my favorite item from Gerard and that is the Mediterranean Chicken Salad Tartlette

If you give me the chance I’d probably eat quite a few of these, but again, I had to exercise restraint.

When Gerard sent me the promo artwork for the bake sale he mentioned that I must try something new that he had on the menu, a Pineapple Baklava. I wished I had a cup of arabic coffee to wash it down, it was delicious!

I didn’t go too crazy with my selections. Just had a few things for myself and then the rest of it was for my sister but I was glad I made the time to check out the sale. The location is perfect for a picnic so you could easily walk with something to spread on the grass and a thermos of coffee or a bottle of wine and have a chill time. I think everyone pulling up to purchase something left with a smile on their face and that’s what good food is supposed to do. Congrats to Gerard on another successful bake sale. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Gerard is always doing pop ups in events around Trinidad & Tobago so you can connect with him on instagram: @chefgmarquez1

You can also check out his video for Guinness Pulled Pork Sliders on our Youtube Channel