Veggie Campus principal Brent Blair (right) and chef Micky Cushie present (from left) bammies, fried ripe plantains, pressed green plantains and jerk mushroom; cauliflower curry medley with coconut sauce; and coconut curried chickpeas. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Food Awards, Lifestyle, Thursday Food

August 31, 2022

Passing Grade For Veggie Campus

What to eat on a Tuesday afternoon albeit in the midst of a heavy downpour? For a few Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judges it was curried chick peas, jerk mushroom samplers, plantain and bammy and guacamole and pak choi salads from Veggie Campus. If you’re not regular patrons like Mala Morrison and Victoria Colahar, Veggie Campus is helmed by 27-year-old Brent Blair, who found preparing vegan fare a lot more fulfilling than his courses at UTech.

What started in his backyard seven years ago has evolved into a full-time business, and even though COVID-19 caught him, and indeed the whole world off guard, he’s rallied back as has his clientele.

Blair’s clientele was, he shared: “Young! … My peers.” The establishment’s name “Veggie Campus” came about as a result of brainstorming with a group of friends. The word campus denotes youth. Today, his food attracts all in search of a healthier approach to eating. The more is that the food tastes good! The surprise was the jerk mushroom â€” chews of savoury delight that could quite easily become your favourite TV snack.

Veggie Campus

Address: 74 Lady Musgrave Road

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Photographers: Naphtali Junior & Joseph Wellington

Veggie Campus Pak Choi Salad and Guacamole (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Coconut Curried Chickpeas (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Cauliflower Curry Medley with coconut sauce (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

From top: Bammies, fried ripe plantains, pressed green plantains and jerk mushroom (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Veggie Campus principal Brent Blair serves Food Awards judge Pauline Edie the pak choi salad. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Veggie Campus principal Brent Blair explains his offerings to Food Awards judge Mala Morrison. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Veggie Campus principal Brent Blair (centre) presents a plate of shredded carrots, pepper, pak choi and guacamole salads for Food Awards judges Adolph Raynor and Josina Jackson.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Food Awards judge Adolph Raynor enjoys the jerk mushroom. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Food Awards judge Victoria Colahar tucks into her Veggie Campus meal. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Veggie Campus mixed-box options.