Keisha Shakespeare, Freelance Writer
Fourteen-year-old Craig Jacas and his cheesecake. - PHOTOS BY CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
HE LOVES to experiment with foods, and for special occasions he has been known to whip up a cake or two.
Craig Jacas, 14, a second form student at Ardenne High School in Kingston, says he just loves to cook because he enjoys tasting his own cooking and sharing it with others.
His culinary ventures began when he started to help his mother, Molly Jacas, in the kitchen. At first, his job was to make the drinks, but on Valentine's Day, 2003, he decided to turn up the heat by making something special for his mother and father, Lorenzo Jacas.
Without any previous experience, he cracked a few eggs, added flour and other ingredients and baked a plain cake. He says he was confident that he could do it because he had watched his mother in the kitchen.
"I got up early the morning before mommy and daddy woke up and I baked the cake. It turned out well. The bottom was a bit moist but the taste was perfect. My mother even told me to give a piece to my grandmother, Thelma Jacas."
BATTER UP
"Every Christmas mommy bakes and I would help her to mix the batter. I helped her because I got the left over batter from the bowl to eat. My sister, Traci, and I would fight over who would get the bigger bowl."
Molly Jacas told Food that because her son loves to experiment with food, he watches "the Food Network on cable a lot. Some people say that watching television can be a bad thing but it can also be good too. Craig gets most of his food ideas from watching the Food Network."
Craig also gets ideas by surfing online and reading his mother's cookbooks. On Saturdays when he makes breakfasts he pulls out a recipe or two and add his own twist.
"Sometimes I mix baked beans and tuna or saltfish."
Breakfast is not the only thing Jacas is good at making, he also makes dinner when his mother is ill. His speciality is corned beef with cabbage and rice.
Still, his heart is in the oven especially when it comes to baking cheesecake. He says his sister often tries to resist his cooking but when he bakes cheesecake she wolfs down more than a slice or two. In fact, she says it is the best.
Whenever, Jacas bakes he would make sure to take a slice for his friends at school and they also say it's the best.
These days he bakes for major events such as birthdays, Valentine's Day, and Christmas. His aim, however, is to start making complete courses.
And later on in life? Well, he reckons that he'll become a pilot and a lawyer and toss in a bit of cooking on the side.
