Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer 
Green bananas with the right dish is 'murder', says the DJ. And the ripe ones are just as important. - Ian Allen Photo
TAKING A break from his lifestyle of recording and touring, we recently went shopping for food with Mr. Vegas, the Jamaican dancehall artist who has become known internationally with credits including the mega-hit, Heads High, which topped the British reggae charts for months.
We had heard stories of entertainers who enter local supermarkets with their entourage, pushing four or five trolleys as they denude the shelves. We wondered if Mr. Vegas would do the same. But here he comes alone to John R. Wong Supermarket in New Kingston.
One-stop shop
Today he is simply dressed in jeans, sleeveless tees and handkerchief around the head. Urban Outfitter's is his preferred clothier we later find out his one-stop shop for unique outerwear.
The entertainer says he is not married and therefore he will be buying for himself a single man.
Mr. Vegas reveals a taste that is a mix of his cosmopolitan influences and his semi-rural roots.
Vegas proves to be both quality and price conscious, but will give up a price advantage if the product is of proven quality or better for the health. More to the point, he has entered the supermarket with a number of menus and his favourite foods on his mind.
"Tuna in olive oil," he comments as he pops several tins into his cart. "This is great with pasta and it's easy to cook." Later he buys wine and we see that he has a complete meal in mind.
Oats is put into the cart and he explains, "you need oats before you lift weights."
Now we understand the reason for his well-toned look. Next on his list are sweet corn and baked beans. "Cook this up and serve with your rice and peas on Sunday. You feel good."
The entertainer claims that "baked bean with stewed chicken is really good. Baked beans with salt fish too."
The tins are piling up and he comments: "For a man who is not a family man yet, tinned stuff are handy." He selects what he calls "real mackerel by Grace" then rolls to a stop before the shelves of crackers.
"Goofy got me to taste this the other day. It was really good. I hear they are great in porridge. But I will try two, not three." Several packages tumble into the trolley.
His next selection is cranberry.
"Now this is the boss. They have the white here and the red. Drink this when you come home with some Vodka and you build a vibe. I will work with the red one (cranberry) today."
Price
As he selects other items, Mr. Vegas comments: "Buy three of one thing so you get it cheaper," but we realise that he rarely looks at prices. Of first importance is the quality, and then come taste smell really and then cost.
The dishwashing liquid gets the smell test and one is put back because the smell is "too strong".
Another selection is made and this goes in the trolley, as do several washing sponges. Fabric softener gets the smell test too.
Three aromatic candles are whisked off the shelves and we roll towards the freezer where several packs of chicken feet lose their comfortable perch.
"I like chicken foot in every form. I like it curried, stewed and in soup," the DJ states. "If a girl wants to win my heart she must deal with the chicken foot good," he adds with a grin.
We are into the fresh produce aisle and a hand of green bananas is next to lose its place. "Salt-fish with vegetables and young green bananas that's murder.
"Green bananas in the morning is murder with wheat dumplings and Irish potatoes," he enthuses.
He states: "If I were buying rice, I would buy brown rice. Brown rice and pasta that's my call." He looks at the ripe bananas and states, "Gross Mitchell is the best, the ultimate." In the supermarket, onions get passed over, as they look too old.
Mr. Vegas does not eat "beef, oxtail and dem ray ray," he says. "If I eat steak, it's only two times for the year." As to pork? "No Rasta! The last time I ate that I was 10."
While touring abroad, he feeds on salmon and vegetables and if he can get baked potatoes, he includes that too. There are many Jamaican restaurants in places where he travels but they are too greasy in their cooking style, he claims.
"You have to be careful of that. Grease is not good for the system."
He notes that shopping for food in Jamaica is easier than doing so abroad as there are more things to eat which are healthy. Abroad, the sweet potato tastes like yam and also frequently tastes spoilt, he claims. It is also rare to find green bananas on shelves there. So, when away, he often settles for chicken frankfurters and brown rice.
Sweet potatoes
Examining the produce shelves he looks longingly at sweet potatoes.
"Sweet potatoes are the ultimate," he says but notes that he will buy none as his mother, who lives in the hills of upper St. Andrew where root crops exist in abundance, will bring this and other farm fresh supplies to his home.
He is disappointed that were no tomatoes in the supermarket. "No food can taste good without tomatoes," and settles for bundles of fresh scallion instead. He also selects powdered coconut ("No girl is willing to use the grater anymore") and red peas for peas and rice one day during the week.
As he nears the check-out point, he stops to select red wine, looking for a Merlot. He also detours to grab a bottle of olive oil: "This is not greasy. It is good for the system. It is better than butter too."
At the cashier, he discovers that he has not bought milk and disappears into the aisles again and returns with soy milk. He pays for the goods and departs, but not before tipping his cart handler with several hundred dollars.
He blesses the handler with the words, "My Family", and places in his car trunk bags filled with enough food to last for a week. He is satisfied.
