Chef Simone Walker-Barrett has always had a passion for food and cooking. From as early as eight years old after watching her father in the kitchen, she was intrigued by his speed and agility.
Immediately after graduating from high school, she enrolled at the Boulevard Baptist Skills Training Center (Heart Trust NTA), where she did food preparation level I and II. After the completion of her course, she was brought back to fill the vacant post of assistant instructor in food preparation. After two years of being an assistant she was appointed as an instructor in the same field. This she did for eight years while she enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America ProChef program where she successfully completed Levels I- III and was certified by the American Culinary Federation
as an Executive Chef. Chef Barrett honed her culinary skills from both the class room and the kitchen alike. While teaching level I and II, she did an apprenticeship at the Hilton Palm Court fine dining restaurant in Kingston.
In addition to cooking and teaching, she is a culinary consultant, recipe developer and a certified culinary assessor. She currently lectures at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Technology (Utech). Also, Chef Barrett has done promotions for new products both locally and internationally. She has traveled extensively in the Caribbean, the United States, India, and Dubai promoting and educating consumers about Jamaican products.
With over sixteen years in the culinary field, Chef Barrett decided to use her skills, training, and experience, to develop what is known today as HomeChefs Seasonings. A culinary educator by heart, she is always busy doing workshops, cooking demos, and promoting her seasoning at food shows. Chef Barrett’s latest achievements came when HomeChefs Seasonings was nominated under the category ‘Best New Product’ at the Jamaica Observer Food Awards 2013. She also received a silver medal in Pastry and was named Chef Instructor of the year by the Culinary Federation of Jamaica at the Taste of Jamaica Culinary Competition 2013.
Highlighted Dishes
