Spotlight on Executive Chef Maurice

Our wonderfully talented Executive Chef Maurice Henry has been working at the hotel for about eight and a half years.
Previously, Maurice worked at Sandals while at the same time working for Mr. Gordon “Butch” Stewart as his personal chef. As a result, Maurice has the know-how of a very unique repertoire that incorporates a Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion.
He loves to use fresh seafood incorporated with fresh herbs and light sauces which are a hit with our guests, as per feedback and reviews on TripAdvisor.
If you have visited the hotel, chances are you may met Maurice during your stay, or at one of the mealtimes when he is running around ensuring all is to satisfaction.
Or, perhaps you have experienced the weekly Shop and Cook with Chef Tour where Maurice shares his favorite recipes with guests.
In any case, we wanted to share little more about Maurice, and he is our first “In the Spotlight” staff feature.

We asked Chef a few questions

How many team members on your Team?

We have now currently 27 team members not including myself.

What do you love about your job?

I love the sheer satisfaction of the guests especially when called out after a meal to talk to guests.

What is your favorite time of day here at the Inn?

I love the Dinner shift simply due to the magic of the evenings here and how romantic it is for our guests, which includes our dinner menu, which sets the tone for a lovely evening each night.

Do you like meeting guests at the weekly Shop and Cook Tour?

Very much!  I love answering all the questions on Jamaican cooking and it is especially wonderful to see how much our guests just love this style of cooking. They are always very excited to talk about where they will purchase the same ingredients when they get home.

What is your favorite dish that you make here at The Inn?

I love all of them, but I have to say the one that is quite popular is the St. Mary’s sauteed tiger shrimp which is slightly spicy.

Where is your favorite place to eat here in Ocho Rios?

I love anywhere that has Jamaican-style, vegetarian food. There is a place in mid town that serves up tofu and ackee with brown rice…very delish!

What do you do on your day off?

I relax by going to the beach, catching up on sleep and of course having a wonderful vegetarian meal at that spot I love so much in Ocho Rios!

Do you have kids?

Yes, I have a girl who is eighteen already and a boy who is four.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself here at Jamaica Inn continuing to create and invent lovely dishes for our guests.
 

Photos courtesy Mark Boughton.