Chef Dex brings Caribbean cuisine to Wilmington cooking class

Wilmington, NC (WWAY) — Caribbean cuisine will be the focus of a cooking class in Wilmington this week, with a local chef sharing dishes and techniques inspired by her Bahamian roots and other Caribbean cultures.

Chef Dex, founder of Castle Gardens ILM, joined WWAY on Monday for a cooking demonstration ahead of her “Tour of the Caribbean” class, scheduled for Tuesday at The Seasoned Gourmet on Market Street.

During the demonstration, Dex prepared Bahamian conch fritters, a dish she described as a staple in her native Bahamas.

“I am from the Bahamas originally,” Dex said. “And the conch fritters is a national staple in terms of appetizers there.”

Dex said the recipe incorporates finely chopped conch along with fresh herbs and seasonings, including thyme, peppers and parsley. She said fresh seafood and produce are common elements in Caribbean cooking, reflecting the ingredients readily available throughout the islands.

“We are all about fresh seafood,” Dex said. “Everything is based around seafood, lots of fresh herbs, different layers of dimensioning when it comes to seasoning.”

Dex said she hopes the class gives participants an opportunity to experience dishes from across the Caribbean without having to travel to the region.

“If you’re not able to go on a cruise or be there,” Dex said, she wants the food to provide a taste of that experience locally.

The menu is expected to include Bahamian-style macaroni and cheese, peas and rice, fried plantains, crab salad and conch fritters. Wine pairings will also be incorporated into the class.

Dex is also involved with the Caribbean Socialites, a Wilmington-area group that hosts an annual picnic featuring food representing different parts of the Caribbean. She said the event has drawn people from across the region.

The cooking class is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, at The Seasoned Gourmet, 5500 Market St., Suite 110. Tickets are required and seating is limited.