Up until the mid-80’s fast food franchises in Kingstown didn’t exist, it was either a roti grabbed from Mac’s Snacks or a few beef patties purchased at The Bounty. Vincentian entrepreneur Ken Boyea changed that when he introduced Kentucky Fried Chicken to the country in 1986, a business venture that was instantly popular. People flocked to KFC throughout the day for a taste of the deep-fried chicken, food that was already prepared and ready to go at the two locations in Kingstown, and I figured Ken Boyea had a hit on his hands.
Having been born and raised in Canada, Colonel Sanders and his famous fried chicken weren’t new to me, and its introduction to the country therefore didn’t generate the same excitement as that displayed by those born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, I DID want to get a taste of the chicken, and decided to send for a bucket to share with the Pizzeria staff. I called KFC and ordered the chicken along with corn on the cob, biscuits and cole slaw, figuring we could make our own fries at the restaurant. I then called Ken Taxi and asked him to collect my cheque from the ferry and then pick up the chicken from KFC, with instructions to give the order directly to the purser so that it would be stowed safely for the crossing. Following my instructions carefully, my driver handed the bags of food to the purser and said, “watch de Kenturkey for Ms. Simmons”. Kenturkey indeed! From that day onwards the ferry crew teased the poor man relentlessly, calling him “Ken Turkey” instead of “Ken Taxi”, a nick-name that stuck like white on rice.
My favourite KFC outlet in Kingstown was the one located uptown close to Gonsalves Liquors, mainly because it had a nice bathroom! I would get my “Kenturkey” and head upstairs, where I enjoyed my chicken, biscuit with honey, seasoned potato wedges and cole slaw meal along with some mauby. It was all very civilized, and I found the chicken far superior to that sold in North American franchises. Changes to KFC in St. Vincent were gradual but inevitable; first the refillable drink stations were dropped, I guess too many people abused the notion of getting just a second drink without having to pay. I didn’t mind that, nor the disappearance of plastic cutlery and the rather soggy cobs of corn, but when they no longer offered cole slaw or seasoned wedges I was quite disappointed; I really liked that cole slaw, ditto the potato wedges, and the chicken meals were never as good without them.
Cole slaw or no cole slaw, there’s no doubt that a school child carrying a coveted KFC box or bag was envied, it meant he or she had funds to buy something other than a package of Shirley biscuits or corn curls during the lunch break. Carrying the Colonel’s face around town was like wearing brand name clothing or shoes, a status symbol for those fortunate enough to be able to do so. Bequians returning from town would proudly carry their symbol of success off the ferry like a Gucci bag, signaling to those on the jetty that they had spent money at KFC while on the mainland.
Prices have crept up everywhere, and a chicken meal at KFC costs a lot more now than it did in 1986. The last time I ordered a 2-piece meal with biscuit and fries the price tag was over $30, certainly more than I figured the meal was worth. It would have cost less without the bottled coke purchase, but I no longer liked the soft drinks included with the meals. The chicken (a drumstick and a thigh) was OK, but the fries were dry and barely warm – the biscuit was actually the highlight of my $30 meal and that’s kind of sad! I now make JFC at home; Judy’s Fried Chicken, made with Belvedere Farm’s delicious chicken, when dipped in beaten fresh farm eggs and then home-made breadcrumbs, may not be “brand name” food, but my “Kenturkey” is definitely finger-lickin’ good!
