The People and the Plate

When I think of Trinidad and Tobago, I do not think of just one place, one tradition, or one image. I think of people. I think of laughter, community, culture, resilience, music, food, and the little things that make home feel like home.

For this special Independence issue of #MadeForMore, I chose two photographs that, to me, capture the heart of Trinidad and Tobago: one that celebrates our people and music while another that celebrates our food, with doubles taking centre stage.

My first photograph captures the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago through our music and our people. Music is at the heart of our identity, from the sweet melodies of the steelpan to the infectious rhythms of Soca, Calypso, Chutney, and other sounds that bring us together.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan stands as a powerful symbol of our creativity, resilience, and ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.

But beyond music is our greatest strength, our people. We are diverse, vibrant, welcoming, resilient, and full of life.

Across different cultures, backgrounds, and traditions, we come together to celebrate, whether at Carnival, a family gathering, a church celebration, or simply a lime with friends. This ability to find joy in one another and create memories together is what makes Trinidad and Tobago truly special.

Every gathering can become a lime, with room for one more. As we celebrate Independence, we celebrate not only the nation we have built, but the people and culture that give it its unique rhythm and soul.

And then there is our food, highlighted in my second photograph. If there is one thing that can bring a Trinbagonian back home, it is the smell and taste of something familiar.

Doubles, pelau, curry, and stew chicken are more than meals; they are part of our story. When you visit, you will often hear, “Yuh want some food? Come and eat before you go?”

There is something uniquely Trinbagonian about enjoying a plate of pelau or curry by the river, stew chicken at a family gathering, or stopping by a doubles vendor for a quick bite.

Our food reflects the many cultures that have shaped our national identity, bringing together different ingredients, flavours, spices, traditions, and cooking styles to create something uniquely ours.

Doubles is a perfect example: two pieces of bara filled with channa and topped with sauces, chutneys, and pepper. Simple yet unforgettable, it brings people together, crosses cultural and social boundaries, and can turn even a quick roadside stop into a memorable lime.

For me, Independence is about embracing the identity we have built through our history, culture, traditions, and the people who call this country home.

Trinidad and Tobago is reflected in our music, food, faith, laughter, and diversity, a place where even the simplest moments of togetherness become part of our story. It is in the ordinary moments that somehow become unforgettable.

— Desiree Sammy