From a multicultural Malaysian childhood to a culinary mix between Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria

The latest cookbook from Blasta Books #12: SOCAFRO is a blend of Alistair Jeje’s two favourite types of music: the rhythmic beats of Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca and the soulful lines of Nigeria’s Afrobeat. Reflecting Alistair’s dual heritage, this dynamic and uplifting cookbook is a journey through Alistair’s childhood memories as well as the food served at his street food business Socafro Kitchen. Bridging the culinary divide between West Africa and the Caribbean, SOCAFRO shows how the fusion of two major food influences can create dishes to delight in and dance to, including a jollof pilafspicy Trini Suya Skewersa rich and nerdy guy Afro-Trini Macaroni Pieand deliciously sweet and crunchy chin-chin tamarind balls.

Alistair Jeje, affectionately known as JD, is the proud owner of Socafro Kitchen, a bustling street food venture in Waterford City offering a mouth-watering fusion of Caribbean and Nigerian flavors. This culinary mix pays homage to his roots: his mother is from Trinidad and his father from Nigeria. The name Socafro comes from JD’s passion for two distinct musical genres: the vibrant rhythms of Caribbean soca and the pulsating rhythms of Afro tunes. JD was born in England but his formative years were spent in Lagos, where his mother and sister introduced him to the world of cooking. JD believes that your true calling is what you can do effortlessly, and for him, cooking is just that. JD’s larger-than-life charisma is undeniably magnetic, and his radiant smile and treasured recipes uplift all who meet him and eat his food. @socafrokitchen