If you like ‘jerk’ anything, stop by Grand Mango
If it’s true that pregnant women crave the most delicious foods, then it’s a safe bet the Grand Mango Caribbean Food booth at the West Point-Highland Falls Farmers Market is delicious.
During a quick interview on Sunday morning no less than three very pregnant women purchased food from Nadine Barham and her sons Christopher and Zachary at their booth. In between those women, she and her boys served many others, and this was all before 11 a.m.
The Grand Mango stand — which serves a very popular jerk macaroni and cheese, as well as incredibly flavorful jerk chicken and pork — is an offshoot of the Grand Mango Caribbean Restaurant in Central Valley (20 Smith Clove Rd.). They also serve popular items from Barham’s family … rice and beans, oxtails, Jamaican beef patties. The restaurant has an expanded menu, with daily specials.
Barham, who was grilling chicken all the while talking to customers, straightening up their food prep area and keeping her sons busy working, spoke on Sunday about her family business, which includes her mom, Caroline McKenzie, aunt Marvalyn Lewis and daughter Asanya. Their roots are Jamaican, and they are happy to share their country’s delicacies with Orange County residents.
They appear at several farmers markets, Barham said, and ended up in Highland Falls over a year ago “after a recommendation from the honey vendor,” she said, and it’s a decision she doesn’t regret.
“It’s been pretty great,” she said, “I love my Highland Falls customers.”
They love her too.
County Legislator Laurie Tautel, passing by the stand Sunday morning after leaving Mass at Sacred Heart, said “the doors to the church open after Mass and everyone gets a big whiff of the chicken cooking.”
“We all get a big smile on our face,” she said.
Market Manager Karen Parashkevov added that Grand Mango has been a great addition to the local market.
“People love, love, love her,” Parashkevov said. “She’s fabulously busy with long lines every week. The smell definitely attracts people to our location.”
Happy here on Sundays, Barham also loves seeing the faces of those Highland Falls customers walk into her Central Valley restaurant.
For more information on Grand Mango, the restaurant’s Facebook page is www.facebook.com/grandmangocaribbean. There, they often list their appearances at special events as well as menus, catering details and more.
You’ve still got seven weeks or so to see Barham at the Market … just remember to get out of the way of the pregnant ladies!
