This entry is part 9 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalAfter the frenzied crescendo of Carnival Tuesday all merriment and debauchery ends (or is supposed to end) with the ushering in of Ash Wednesday and the start of the Roman Catholic observance of Lent. My father tells me that ‘back in the day’... 

This entry is part 8 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalAs Carnival Tuesday draws to a close one song, and one song alone will be crowned as the “Road March” winner. To win “Road March” one’s song needs to be one the played most often over the two day Carnival period, at the... 

This entry is part 3 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalI was talking to a Brazilian friend a few years ago and she was surprised at some of the differences between our Carnival and theirs. You see it was a few weeks ago when she decided to look and see what costume/band she should play with. She was shocked... 

This entry is part 7 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalJ’ouvert (joo-VAY) is the start to the Carnival celebrations. It begins in the pre-dawn hours of Carnival Monday and lasts until daybreak. J’ouvert (which is a Creole corruption of the French Jour Ouvert – day opening) is also known... 

I admit it, I am not much of a fan of the color blue. I can admire it from afar, but when it comes to my own purchase decisions and accessory choices it’s rarely a contender. That’s why I challenged myself to come up with a blue tablesetting that would get -me- excited for the 6th episode of Sweet Han’:... 

This entry is part 6 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalDimanche Gras takes place on the Sunday night before Ash Wednesday. Here the Calypso Monarch is chosen (after competition) and prize money and a vehicle bestowed. Also the King and Queen of the bands are crowned, where each band to parade costumes... 

This entry is part 5 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Image from the Trinidad Guardian If you are getting the sense that Carnival is one big long party you are right! So it only makes sense that one big long party would be made of many many big long parties as well. These parties in Trinidad are called... 

This entry is part 4 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Exodus Steelband performing in Trafalgar Square, England – photo by bram_souffreau It seems that every time a North American program wants to denote the ‘tropics’ you will hear the sound of a steelpan. It doesn’t even to... 

Tobagonian-born, Houston-based pannist Rony Perry has been a friend of mine since the late 90′s. We first came into contact via my old venture “De Rumshop Lime”, a Trinbagonian chatroom which he eventually came to co-moderate, and where he also eventually met his wife! In the past he’s shared... 

This entry is part 2 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalIt is hard to imagine Carnival without music. And the definitive music of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is soca. So what is Soca Music? Well, why not let Soca Superstar Machel Montano say it in his own words? From Caribbean Music 101 (the original... 

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you are single or attached I love any reason to make a fuss over oneself. This week I’m preparing a romantic meal that is no-fuss, no-hassle, and definitely Caribbean in flavour! Joining us on-air will be my ‘long-time’ friend, Tobagonian-born... 

This entry is part 1 of 9 in the series Trinidad and Tobago CarnivalWith only a few days before ‘High Mas’ it is time again to shine a spotlight on Trinidad’s largest cultural festival, Carnival. Where did the word “carnival” come from? Hundred and hundreds of years ago, the followers... 

As seen on the fifth episode of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina” here is Q’s recipe for spicy, flavourful Trinidad Geera Chicken! Q’s Geera Chicken Serves 6 INGREDIENTS: 3 1/2 – 4lbs chicken parts cut into 10 or more pieces (Q chops the parts into bite-sized pieces,... 

From the moment I first heard Collis Duranty’s voice I was instantly drawn by its soulfulness and sweet, soothing quality. Combine that with introspective, uplifting lyrics and a stylish stage presence and you have a rising star who has caught the attention of media outlets such as Metro Magazine as well as... 

We’ve made it through the first month of 2013 and it’s time to celebrate! We’re going to indulge and we’re going to do it healthily. I’ve prepared a vegan menu that is both filling and luxurious. We’ll start off with a light salad and soup that is bursting with Eastern flavours and Caribbean staples and... 

I never realised how many memories I had around floats until I forced myself to finally learn how to make them. These were a breakfast staple when I spent holidays by my aunt and were the only place where I really ate them. The moment I started frying that first batch in preparation for my ebook “Glam By... 

For the fourth episode of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina” I was inspired by a lovely place setting that I saw on Pinterest (follow me by clicking here if you are so inclined). The color pink has been on my mind lately so I thought it would be a good way to highlight it. I don’t... 

Yes, Virginia, there is an alternative Trinidadian music scene. Over the last few weeks it’s been my hope to bring to light the reality that when it comes to musicians in Trinidad one size doesn’t fit all. Although homogeny may be the name of the game on the airwaves (especially at this time of the year),... 

The man. The myth. I only partially kid For the past few years curiousity has gnawed at me wondering who the force behind the local food blog “Bring It To The Table” was. Not only was the quality of the photography above and beyond, he always seemed to know where the latest and greatest ‘underground’... 

This week I hosted the first “Eat Ah Food” episode of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina”. Like my “Cookalong” episodes (the first of which was with Patrice Grell-Yursik a.k.a Afrobella), these episodes take us into the kitchens and pots of online notables (primarily... 

After my little ‘cookalong’ with Afrobella (click here for that recap and replay) I was back in the kitchen on January 17th with a lineup that many tuned in and enjoyed! “It’s a New Year! Let’s keep those holiday resolutions going with a vegan and gluten-free menu of healthy Caribbean-inspired... 

One of the expected joys of hosting my own regular G+ series, is being able to shine a spotlight on the diverse musical talent we have fostered here Trinidad & Tobago. Last week it was sitarist Sharda Patasar and this week it is the duo of Buffalo & Back. Comprised of Jeff Wight and Andrew Mc Intosh, the... 

I am so excited to announce that on this week’s episode of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina” I’ll be highlighting the compositions of local sitarist Sharda Patasar. Daughter of legendary local sitarist Mungal Patasar, Sharda is strongly forging her own path in this traditionally... 

It’s time for the first episode of “Sweet Han’” for 2013, and also my first cookalong! I’m beyond thrilled to share the stage with none other than Trinidad-born fashion and beauty blogger Patrice Yursik a.k.a Afrobella. I’ll be talking her through my recipe for Trinidad Stewed Fish... 

Photo Credit: Mark Lyndersay Some call her the godmother of ‘Brown Beauty Blogging’, others call her Afrobella, and a few others still call her Patrice. I call her all of the above, and now I can add ‘Sweet Han’s first Cookalong guest’ to the list! We started our respective blogs at... 

For Episode 2 of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina” I was inspired by an image I saw of a small room that was ornately decked out in the French Provençal style. Also known as French Country Decorating, I appreciate this décor’s use of cool whites, distressed woods, and muted primary...