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This Week We Feature Young Professional Ariq Flax-Clarke

This Week We Feature Young Professional Ariq Flax-Clarke, a budding Culinarian who hails from the sister island of Virgin Gorda. Photo: Provided
One of his creations done at the recently concluded 'Taste of the Caribbean' competition. Photo: Provided
One of his creations done at the recently concluded 'Taste of the Caribbean' competition. Photo: Provided
He attended a culinary summer camp at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami in July of 2014 as a recipient of the Emerging Fellows Award from the Ministry of Education and Culture. He was chosen to be the competing Jr. Chef as a member of the BVI National Culinary Team for 2015 and returned with a silver medal in the Jr category. Photo: Provided
He attended a culinary summer camp at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami in July of 2014 as a recipient of the Emerging Fellows Award from the Ministry of Education and Culture. He was chosen to be the competing Jr. Chef as a member of the BVI National Culinary Team for 2015 and returned with a silver medal in the Jr category. Photo: Provided
Currently Ariq Flax-Clarke he is on internship through HLSCC at The Tree House Restaurant at the Rock Cafe under the tutelage of chef Jermaine ' Monk' George and is currently developing a lunch menu for The Reef Restaurant at Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel to commence in June 25, 2015. Photo: Provided
Currently Ariq Flax-Clarke he is on internship through HLSCC at The Tree House Restaurant at the Rock Cafe under the tutelage of chef Jermaine ' Monk' George and is currently developing a lunch menu for The Reef Restaurant at Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel to commence in June 25, 2015. Photo: Provided
Ariq also competed in the BVI Agriculture Week 2014 Preserves and Candy competition where he created a Pomegranate Infused Guava Jam and a Ginger Infused Pineapple Jam which gained him second and first prizes respectively using locally grown ingredients. Photo: Provided
Ariq also competed in the BVI Agriculture Week 2014 Preserves and Candy competition where he created a Pomegranate Infused Guava Jam and a Ginger Infused Pineapple Jam which gained him second and first prizes respectively using locally grown ingredients. Photo: Provided
He has not yet touched the prime years of his life but is propelling at such a speed with what he does that his future is very clear for one to see. Photo: Provided
He has not yet touched the prime years of his life but is propelling at such a speed with what he does that his future is very clear for one to see. Photo: Provided
Apart from him being in the culinary world, like the average youth his age he has other passions going around in his head. “I would also love to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering as I love cars and would like to learn more about the new technology that the cars are equipped with today,” he said. Photo: Provided
Apart from him being in the culinary world, like the average youth his age he has other passions going around in his head. “I would also love to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering as I love cars and would like to learn more about the new technology that the cars are equipped with today,” he said. Photo: Provided
By Cathy O. O. Richards

“I see my future as a very bright one. I see myself being a Food Network Star. I see myself using my culinary skills to market the BVI as a premier destination for foodies and culinary fanatics. I see myself completing my formal culinary education to the highest level I can achieve. I also see myself traveling the world to gain global culinary experience and ultimately return to my home, the BVI.” Thus said our Young Professional for this week Ariq Flax-Charles.

‎Currently he is on internship through H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) at The Tree House Restaurant at the Rock Cafe in Virgin Gorda under the tutelage of chef Jermaine 'Monk' George and is currently developing a lunch menu for The Reef Restaurant at Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel to commence in June 25, 2015.

He is also a regular at Rosewood Little Dix Bay and will complete a portion of his internship there as well under the watchful eye of Caswel Pondt. Meanwhile, Ariq is developing his own culinary line called Virgin Sauces Spices and Sweets.

Ariq has not yet touched the prime years of his life but is propelling at such a speed with what he does that his future is very clear for one to see. It even came from his lips when he told this news site that for such a young age his experiences are vast.

Through the good & bad

“I have been through all the good and the bad of culinary. I have been able to travel and have cooked with some of the best chefs [there are] out there. I have competed in several competitions where I won both gold and silver. Otherwise, I have been through all the cuts and slits from my knives. I even had to get stitches once. There were times when working in several kitchens that I have been shouted at. But with all the long tiring night of hard work I always have fun with it. Despite these things nothing is going to stop me from pursuing my dreams.”

It started in grandma's kitchen!

Not in any way putting aside the love from his parents, he said his fondest memories are with his grandmothers, two women he wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Some of his most memorable moments growing up were being able to do what he loves, which was to become a chef.

“I was able to work side by side with my grandmother Norma Flax. I was also able to work with my other grandmother, Mona Kelly. Both of them made me realise that I really loved the culinary arts and were able to teach me how to make dishes from their home countries of Antigua and St. Kitts respectively. They were and still are the building blocks and foundation of my culinary career and I am very thankful for both of them.”

For him family is everything and, with him being the middle child for his parent, he has a sibling to look up to and one to pat on the head and say “Hey, I am here for you”. “I have a 19-year-old sister, Sapphire and an 8-year-old brother Mystiq. I current live with my mom and dad Shereen Flax Charles and Walter Charles. I am very close with my Aunt Dawn Flax. My family background is very wide and varied from my mom's to my dad's side. Both sides have cooking experience and history flowing through their veins. On my mom's side, the family has three restaurants where business booms almost year round. My family is awesome,” he said.

Upon graduation from HLSCC in 2016, Ariq intends to attend the Johnson and Wales University in Miami, to enhance his culinary skills. Ariq hopes to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree as well as a Master’s Degree in Culinary Arts.

Champion chef

Ariq won the First Annual BVI Junior Chef Challenge in November 2012. The Junior Chef Challenge was held as an addition to the Janice Blyden Table Setting and Service Competition co-hosted by the BVI Tourist Board and Rosewood Little Dix Bay.

As part of the BVI Tourist Board’s Restaurant Week 2013 festivities and in an effort to promote the BVI to an array of audiences, celebrity Chef Fed Federer was invited to the VI to participate in the territory’s first ever Taste of the BVI Cook Off in Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

During the Taste of the BVI Tortola Cook-Off on November 22, 2013 Chef Fed and Chef Ariq prepared a Blackened Old Wife Fish Infused in a Tamarind Sauce, earning them the distinction of “Best Entrée” for the first time event. During the Taste of the BVI Virgin Gorda Cook-Off on November 23, 2013, the dynamic duo prepared BVI Curried Pumpkin Soup with Ginger and garnished with Roasted Breadfruit for the Appetizer and Grilled Lamb Loin with Raspberry Chutney, grilled bell peppers and drizzled with Cilantro Oil for the Entree. And as luck would have it, and coupled with the experience gained from the previous day, Chef Fed and Chef Ariq won all three categories for the competition, which included “Best Appetizer”, “Best Entrée” and “Overall Winner" of the Taste of Virgin Gorda Cook -Off.

Rewarding experience

Ariq’s first job was working at one of the BVI’s top resorts, Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda. During the Christmas, Easter and summer breaks, he is allowed the opportunity to hone his skills and has come to the realisation that his ultimate goal is to become an executive chef.

He attended a culinary summer camp at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami in July of 2014 as a recipient of the Emerging Fellows Award from the Ministry of Education and Culture. He was chosen to be the competing Jr Chef as a member of the BVI National Culinary Team for 2015 and returned with a silver medal in the Jr category.

Ariq also competed in the BVI Agriculture Week 2014 Preserves and Candy competition where he created a Pomegranate Infused Guava Jam and a Ginger Infused Pineapple Jam which gained him second and first prizes respectively using locally grown ingredients.

Ariq attended the Banco Popular’s Ultimate Flavors of the Virgin Islands Culinary Event held at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort on May 29 and 30, 2015. On Saturday, May 30, 2015 he also was honoured and received an award from the National Democratic Party’s Youth Arm for Excellence in Culinary Arts. Ariq recently returned from Miami where he attended the CTO's Taste of the Caribbean event where he captured two silver medals as a Jr Chef and Member of the BVI National Culinary Team.

Dreams & goals

In the next five to ten years he said that he would have completed several degrees in the Culinary Arts, be traveling the world and honing his skills, gaining experience. “I want to be on one or several of the major food networks as host of my own show or competing in several of their events. I may even open an additional restaurant with an unusual twist on the family property.”

Apart from him being in the culinary world, like the average youth his age, Ariq has other passions going around in his head.

“I would also love to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering as I love cars and would like to learn more about the new technology that the cars are equipped with today,” he said.

“Otherwise I love doing what any other 17 year old loves to - just have fun. Heroes and icons, I have a few of these people that I look up to. Digby Stridiron, who is a well-known chef from St. Croix USVI, is a well-rounded chef who has shown me that he really loves what he does. His work is amazing! Caswell Pondt, Jermaine 'Monk' George, Dawn Flax, and Bobby Flay are also my heroes. These people have all inspired me to do better. My grandmother, Norma Flax is my ultimate heroine.”

“For the youth of today I would say respect your elders, stay humble and always listen to your parents, stay focused, always aim for success and never look back. Go and chase your dreams,” he said as he gave his advice to youth.

11 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Ariq Flax-Clarke”

  • ann (19/06/2015, 10:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    another good pick VINO...go boy!
  • VG (19/06/2015, 11:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So proud of you Ariq. A fine example of a young man doing positive things in the community.
  • Phire (19/06/2015, 11:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shooowwwbieeee
  • .... (19/06/2015, 13:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats young man
  • BFEC Massive (19/06/2015, 14:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Way to go Ariq
  • God Mother (19/06/2015, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Godmother Teacher Bev is so proud of my lovely godson. Keep striving for excellence.
  • qc (20/06/2015, 06:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another young nan who came a long way kudus mr clearke
  • Liat 521 (21/06/2015, 23:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    another local young man on the hight way to sucess
  • daddy (22/06/2015, 19:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep up the good works, stay focus on your dreams,you know that MOm Shereen Flax have your back always so keep on shooting for the stars and most of all be humble. Love ya loads
  • friend (24/06/2015, 18:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK Ariq, glad to see you in the news, but next time I come its "The Curry Challenge" ask dad what I mean, :).
    My best to you, A.


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