Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

DJ Bugle is proud of his dish. - Ian Allen

With some of his own lyrics pumping from a stereo at his Cooreville Gardens home, Bugle began to cook one of his favourite meals, ackee and saltfish.

He was certainly an efficient cook as he washed his utensils and rigorously cleaned the cupboard before creating his meal. He washed the saltfish but ensured that some salt was left on it so that he would not have to add more salt to the pot later.

Bugle then kneaded the dough for the dumplings. He put the container with the dough aside to clean the counter again.

"Mi madda tell mi seh everything mi do mi wash mi hand," said the Portland-bred artiste.

The last time he prepared a meal was six weeks ago. He says he has been unable to cook due to current time constraints.

"On a real, ackee and saltfish a mi favourite meal. The last time mi cook, a ackee mi cook," he said. "A mostly ackee and tin mackerel mi eat. Tin mackerel and white rice a mi ting. Seven days a week mi cook dat."

He picked the ackee but said he would never allow anyone else to do it as the fruit can be poisonous. He washed it and set it to boil.

Attention was now diverted to the dough. He made each dumpling within seconds and was finished in minutes. He peeled the green bananas even quicker than he made the dumplings, showing that he was indeed an expert.

He placed them in the pot with the saltfish that was already boiling. A washed piece of the banana skin was also put in the pot to prevent the pot from getting black due to the banana stain.

Now multitasking, Bugle removed the ackee from the stove, while trying to prevent the other pot from boiling over.

The tomato, sweet pepper and onion were sautéed, the saltfish scraped and flaked while the ackee was drained. All were combined and sprinkled with a little black pepper for a colourful meal that was enjoyed by his many guests.

After quickly devouring his meal, Craig who is part of DASECA said: "A him (Bugle) always cook. Mi nuh need fi cook and him de yah."

He is quite the cook as he used to cook for everyone when he toured with Elephant Man. In addition, others in Cooreville have tasted his creations.

"Every youth outta dah side a Cooreville yah used to eat outta dah kitchen yah," Bugle said proudly.