Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt made an appearance at Wimbledon, but it is his favorite food, jerk chicken, that has become a standout success among the tournament's elite players. Bolt, who holds world records in the 100m and 200m races, has previously stated that the spicy, marinated Caribbean dish provides him with 'power'.
Inspired by Bolt's assertion that authentic jerk chicken contributed to his track success, the dish is now being served in significant quantities at the Wimbledon players' restaurant. Joe Furber, Senior Food and Drink Manager for the All England Club, noted that Jamaican cuisine has been particularly popular this year. Players have been consistently choosing a specially created jerk spiced chicken thigh with jerk barbecue cauliflower and black bean and cinnamon braised rice.
"Jamaican cuisine has been really popular with the players this year," Furber said. "They love the jerk chicken and rice with all the slaws and sauces and salads. It looks beautiful. As far as we know jerk chicken is unique for us on the tour."
The players' restaurant offers a rotation of 14 different global cuisines throughout the Wimbledon fortnight, catering to the diverse backgrounds and tastes of the athletes. Furber explained that a specialist research team consults with players year-round to meticulously plan menus. Feedback and data on popular and unpopular dishes are used to refine recipes and inform new culinary ideas.
"The whole idea of the players' restaurant is to give the players options so players and coaches can choose and build their plates," Furber added. The culinary team reviews every dish annually to incorporate new concepts.
Furber oversees menus for both players and the public across four restaurants. Meanwhile, guests in the Royal Box are served a traditional British sit-down lunch and afternoon tea focusing on seasonal ingredients.
Jerk chicken has also been a hit off the court. Bolt, who has opened his own restaurant chain, Tracks and Records, featuring the dish, appeared in the Royal Box on Centre Court on Friday. The Olympic gold medalist was seen with his long-term partner Kasi Bennett, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2013.