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New Caribbean menu coming to Bourne End pub and community centre

A ‘taste of the Caribbean’ is set to come to Bourne End in June, operating out of The Hedsor Bar - and also as a community event at the community centre.

Blessed Hands, run by founder Ian Bansie, will serve freshly prepared jerk chicken, goat curry, and seasoned salmon several days a week.

Ian is offering a fixed menu that will be available for eat-in and takeaway. The kitchen will also deliver via Deliveroo. He said the menu reflects his passion for bold, memorable flavours and desire to provide customers with a good tasting experience.

“People are fed up with the bland food that you get sometimes,” he said. “I believe in [making food] that’s like having a party in the mouth.”

He added that good portion sizes are also important to him, as people sometimes don’t always feel they get their money’s worth from their meal.

A standout dish is the salmon fillet, which is Ian’s special.

“I've never seen anything like it – I can't think how I stumbled on it,” he said. “I was just in the kitchen working tirelessly for about seven months on the menu trying to get the flavours right.”

Ian has been cooking for his whole adulthood, though the story of Blessed Hands only began last year. He started cooking in a kitchen in northwest London for people from around the world, fetching a raft of compliments.

Ian registered self-employed for Blessed Hands and got his food hygiene certification, ready to take things to the next level.

The professional turning point came earlier this year when Ian catered for 100 guests at an R&B brunch event in Marbella, Spain. The experience helped build his confidence all the more.

Ian’s choice of name, Blessed Hands, comes from his deep conviction that his hands are indeed blessed vehicles for his gift.

“I believe God has given me something to do, he has given me blessed hands,” said Ian. “I have been working with these hands all my life but didn’t realise they were blessed. I didn’t know I had this gift at my disposal.”

The connection to The Hedsor Bar came after Ian visited the venue with a partner and discovered the kitchen was available. Once fully launched, Blessed Hands will offer lunch times, dinner and cater for events.

A launch day had originally been scheduled for the bank holiday on May 26, with a full day of food and music. It was postponed partly due to poor weather, since it partly included some outdoor cooking.

Now the plan is to hold the launch event at Bourne End Community Centre on July 26.

Ian hopes to make it the first of a monthly series of events, featuring a DJ and old music, authentic Caribbean food and ‘good vibes’ in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

The event welcomes all ages, and dogs may be allowed if the event makes use of outdoor space.