Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Guests couldn't wait to try some of master chef Aris Latham's creations during the launch of his 'Healthy Lifestyles' TV series at Creative Production and Training Centre studio on Arnold Road last Wednesday.

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

He's the raw food master chef and now Jamaicans will get to see him every Friday. Dr. Aris Latham, whose vegetarian dishes are unlike any other, will now be seen by viewers of local cable channel CTV.

Chief executive officer of the Creative Production and Training Centre (CTV's big brother entity), Angela Patterson, promised a show that would have the taste, texture and colour of Jamaican foods. The launch was held at the Creative Production and Training Centre offices on Wednesday.

The key to his cooking is drying out the foods, using the sun. He uses all-Jamaican products from spices to vegetables and ground provisions for his show. Excerpts of the 13 episodes gave the audience a taste of what to expect. The show is shot on location at Latham's hilly villa in Ocho Rios, where he now resides. It is different from other cooking shows, however, as there are segments dedicated to health, beauty and fitness routines. Guests from all over the world will perform yoga, tai chi, deep massage and other health-related activities.

Guests were able to see him prepare two of his favourite dishes, pop juice and paradise pie. The 'pop' in the juice stands for pineapple, orange and passion fruit, which are the main ingredients. The paradise pie is made of almonds, walnuts, raisins and cinnamon in the crust with mango, cherries and jackfruit as the filling. Eager audience members tried the culinary creations, especially the pie. "Sweet without being too sugary sweet," said one delighted diner as she cut into her slice.

The dreadlocked Latham said it best as he wrapped up his live demonstration.

"Welcome home, welcome to paradise and enjoy," he said to applause.