"Austin Clarke grew up in Barbados, enveloped in the heavenly smells of women cooking. From them, he learned how to prepare the beloved dishes of the island ... He shares his recipes and reminisces about the 'slave' food that was so much a part of his life. Whether it is a story about the village butcher whose qualifications were somewhat suspect, or finding a sure-fire route to a woman's love through her stomach, or searching the American South for fried chicken with none other than Norman Mailer, Austin Clarke will make you hungry for the 'hot cuisine' and spirit of the island on which he was born"--Publisher's description.