The name ‘Tan’ is an affectionate name for ‘Aunt’ in the Caribbean - Aunty, Tanty, Tan! ‘Rosie’ is Monica’s grandmother who inspired her to cook, she was known as ‘Tan Rosie’ throughout the family and beyond. Monica is a seasoned cook with a strong Caribbean heritage. She started cooking from an early age in her home country of Carriacou. Since moving to England in the 1960’s she has alwa
ys tried to mix Caribbean cooking with different cuisines.
“I love combining Caribbean flavours with my favourite foods. I try to bring a taste of ‘back home’ to everything I cook!”
Carriacou is an island parish of Grenada and is situated in the southern part of the Caribbean above Venezuela. It’s a sleepy, sun-kissed island measuring only 13 square miles. The island has many quiet sandy beaches with an array of palm trees facing the turquoise sea. Many of the neighbouring islands are home to many famous celebrities and rock stars! It’s the perfect holiday retreat! Carriacou is a traditional, laid back island with a rich cultural heritage. The original inhabitants were the Caribs and since then the island has been inhabited by Africans brought over during slavery which has been ruled by the French and British consecutively. The island has many French town names from their occupation during the 1800’s. Scottish boat builders were a common sight on the island and traditional boat-building continues today. Carriacou is an English speaking island which has descendants from Caribs, Africa, Scotland and England. The main island of Grenada is affectionately known as ‘The Spice Island.’ It produces spices which include Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves, Turmeric and Ginger. It’s a beautiful island with a wealth of culinary history.
30/08/2026
Before our guests arrive, there’s a little bit of preparation to do… 🌴👩🏾🍳
Every station is set up and ready so that when you walk through the door, you can get straight into cooking, learning and enjoying Caribbean food with us. ❤️
Our 2026 classes are fully booked, but 2027 Caribbean Cookery School dates are now open.
Join us for our Christmas Caribbean Afternoon Tea at beautiful Blakelands Country House — an afternoon of Caribbean flavours, festive treats and warm island hospitality in a gorgeous country house setting. ❤️
The perfect Christmas get-together with friends and family.
📅 Sunday 22nd November 2026
📍 Blakelands Country House, Bobbington, near Stourbridge, West Midlands
🎟️ £74.99 per person
The full festive menu will be revealed approximately one month before the event.
Make Christmas a little more Caribbean. 🌴🎄
27/08/2026
It all starts with the filling… 🥟🔥
Mum making the seasoned beef filling for our Caribbean curry beef patties — building up those layers of flavour before it ever makes it into the pastry.
This is the food we grew up with, and the food we love sharing through Tan Rosie. ❤️🌴
Who loves a proper Caribbean beef patty?
26/08/2026
It really did take a village. ❤️🇬🇩
Tanty Lyris McLawrence remembers growing up in Carriacou, where everyone was family — and the whole community played a part in looking after the children.
If you grew up like this, you’ll know exactly what she means. ❤️
Was it like this in your village too?
25/08/2026
🎭 He knew the founders of Notting Hill Carnival…
From Carriacou to Britain, his memories take us right into an important chapter of Caribbean life in the UK — including the people connected to the beginnings of Notting Hill Carnival. 🇬🇩🇬🇧
Stories like these remind us why these memories need to be recorded and passed on. ❤️
🎥 Watch his full Carriacou Stories conversation now on YouTube.
25/08/2026
🌿 A bush bath changed everything…
Growing up in Carriacou, traditional remedies and knowledge passed down through generations were simply part of everyday life.
In this clip, he remembers the bush bath that helped him — and the traditional Caribbean knowledge behind it. 🇬🇩❤️
His full Carriacou Stories conversation launches later today on YouTube.
🎥 Follow Tan Rosie for more stories preserving the memories of the Carriacou generation.
24/08/2026
When Sharon McClean first came to England from Carriacou, her family’s journey began in West Bromwich, Birmingham. 🇬🇩🇬🇧
She remembers the streets, the places and those early days of adjusting to a completely different life.
It’s these small details — the names of streets, the first homes, the neighbourhoods — that help preserve the story of a generation who made the journey from Carriacou to Britain. ❤️
Do you remember the Carriacou community in West Bromwich? Were you or your family part of it?
23/08/2026
You could buy them another thing… or give them something they’ll actually remember. ❤️🌴
A Tan Rosie Caribbean Cookery Experience is more than a lesson — it’s a chance to cook, learn, laugh, eat and enjoy Caribbean food together.
Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, celebration or simply something different, give them an experience instead.
🎁 Gift vouchers available
🌴 Caribbean cookery experiences
📍 Tan Rosie Cookery School, Birmingham
Memories last longer than things. ❤️
21/08/2026
🎄 Christmas at Blakelands… with a Caribbean twist! 🌴✨
Our September Caribbean Afternoon Tea is now SOLD OUT — so we’re looking ahead to something extra special this November.
Join us at beautiful Blakelands Country House for our Christmas Caribbean Afternoon Tea Special, lovingly prepared and hosted by Monica & Lee.
Expect Caribbean-inspired savouries, festive sweet treats, carefully selected teas and plenty of warm Tan Rosie hospitality — all wrapped up in a beautiful country-house setting. ❤️
🎄 Christmas Caribbean Afternoon Tea
📅 Sunday 22 November 2026
📍 Blakelands Country House, Stourbridge
🎟️ £74.99 per person
September sold out, so if Christmas at Blakelands sounds like your kind of afternoon, don’t leave it too late.
Book your place via the link.
20/08/2026
Our very first Private Cookery Lesson Gift Voucher is on its way! 💛🎁
A little look behind the scenes as we prepare and package each physical voucher individually.
A private Caribbean cookery experience for one or two people — a gift to cook, learn, laugh and remember. 🌴👩🏾🍳
Private Cookery Lesson Gift Voucher | £280
Available from our website.
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