“Hi my name is Kamial and I’m from Jamaica. I grew up in Spanish Town, the capital of the Parish of St Catherine. We lived very centrally as my mum worked in the market in town, selling fish and fresh vegetables. I would often help my mum at the market and I learnt to cook through watching her.

Sometimes when she was working, I would look after my younger siblings and would cook for them.

My passion for cooking only grew and I often cooked for my neighbours and for parties and celebrations for my friends and family. I love seeing satisfaction and joy on people’s faces when I cook for them. My favourite dish is ackee and salt fish – so much so that when I moved to Antigua I brought an ackee tree to plant in my garden and this is something that I always cook for my two children.

I’ve been in Bristol for a year now and it’s a very friendly and supportive city. I’m volunteering with local refugee charities Bristol Hospitality Network and Borderlands. When I got my refugee status last year I held a big picnic in the park for my friends to celebrate. Jamaican food is spicy and full of flavour, using lots of fresh vegetables and herbs.

Cooking and eating Jamaican food helps me reconnect to home, music is also very important to me and I love dancing while I cook – no matter what is going on in life, it makes me feel happy. I’m very excited to share my recipes with you!”