Lunch Pick: Stir It Up – Traditional Caribbean

Owner Natalie Justin rolling roti dough. Photos by Deanna Ladret

“Hopefully I can bring my island to this island” – Natalie Justin, Owner/Operator.

Behind a red, green, and yellow door nestled in the heart of Fernwood Square, Stir It Up owner Natalie Justin spends her days creating wholesome and traditional Caribbean dishes from scratch.

Vegetarian Patty

The tiny shop is mostly kitchen, with a small sitting area that might cozily fit three. “Authentic Caribbean Soul Food” is the specialty, and includes traditional dishes like Roti, Jerk, and Curries from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Justin’s native St. Lucia.

After moving from Toronto, Justin was working as a television producer when she decided to make a career change in order to spend more time with her children, and find a way to engage them in her traditional culture. “It was either food, or music,” she says, “And since I don’t play an instrument, food was the obvious choice.”

A born-and-raised home cook, Justin’s recipes come from family members and her friends’ mothers. Everything is made in house, including the hot sauce and curry powder, using as many organic ingredients as possible.

Vegetable Roti

Office lunch hour delivery is available on weekdays (place your orders before 11:30am) and they also offer catering. Desserts are available upon request, and include Pineapple Tarts, Rum Cake, Black Cake and Coconut Cake. Watch for the Stir It Up food cart at local festivals this summer like Rifflandia (www.rifflandia.com). Justin has also recently begun offering private weekend cooking classes for groups of up to 4 people.

Though Stir It Up isn’t licensed to sell liquor, I couldn’t resist asking Natalie what drinks she’d pair her food with. “Beer…Red Stripe, if you can find it. Otherwise, rum punch or some white rum with bitters, a bit of sugar and some lime juice.”

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-7:00pm, Friday-Saturday 12:00pm-8:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm.

Stir It Up

1284 Gladstone Avenue

Fernwood Square, Victoria

(250) 590-6694

www.stiritupfoods.com