By Paul Brett, Gleaner WriterHE HAS always been a 'Foodie'.
While other children were outdoors playing, Richard Bourke was in the kitchen watching the adults cook.
"I have always been fascinated by cooking. I learned everything I know from observation and experimentation," says Bourke, general manager of Hedonism II in Negril.
"Show me a kitchen and I will create something from whatever is there (although) at the end it looks like a bomb hit it," adds Bourke who was executive assistant manager of Grand Lido Negril from 1989 to 1991 and has worked in a management capacity at a number of other local properties. In addition, he was general manager of Breezes Curacao until last year.
Bourke, who describes himself as the consummate 'Atomic Chef', adds that he especially likes to cook for family and friends.
FOOD PHILOSOPHY: Food is the centre point of all socialisation, all cultures are somehow defined by their cuisine. For me, all social activities centre around food.
WHAT COULDN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT: I could not live without spices as you can make anything taste good with the right combination of spices.
WHAT DO YOU HATE: Bland or overcooked food. I am not a fan of offal, but liver done well is great.
CUPBOARD/FRIDGE CONFESSION: I am overzealous in keeping my cupboard and fridge stocked. I can usually create a wide variety of meals from a wide variety of cuisines at any given time.
I am very impulsive when it comes to cooking so I always want to have on hand (enough ingredients for) whatever whim might pass my way at any given time. If I go to a restaurant and taste something I really like, I will go back and experiment between visits until I can duplicate the item.
FIRST FOOD MEMORY: My greatest memories were of barbecues at home. My father had a flair for the barbecue. The key to this was the ability to select the right cuts of meat, homemade barbecue sauce and a fire that was just right.
CAPTION
Contributed Photographs
PIC -- FOODIED:
Richard Bourke, General Manager of Hedonism II gets ready to prepare shrimp fried rice.
PIC -- FOODIEE
Without working up a sweat, Richard Bourke, General Manager of Hedonism II, whipped up a feast of Jamaican style oriental food.
FOODIEA:
Stir-fried chicken with vegetable.
FOODIEB
Beef in oyster sauce.
FOODIEC
Fish in Teriyaki sauce with a hint of ginger and sesame.
