Bajan men are likely now greasing pots and pans and sharpening kitchen knives in an effort to prove one thing tomorrow night — that they too can cook.

The Barbados Association of Bermuda has set the stage as a fundraiser for its scholarships.

It’s also an opportunity to highlight their country’s offerings in advance of its Independence Day, November 30.

The men will show their skill at making traditional Bajan dishes such as macaroni pie, cou-cou, cassava pone and salt fish gravy.

There will also be plenty of sorrel and mauby to wash it all down.

Women traditionally did the cooking at the association’s events, said Lennox Cumberbatch.

“I guess the guys felt a little left out and wanted to show their skills as well,” he said. “I’d say the ladies and men are pretty equal in terms of comparison in the kitchen.”

He said it was quite common to see men cooking in the Caribbean. He grew up in Saint Peter’s, in the northern part of Barbados. The kitchen was always his mother’s domain.

“My mom was a very good cook, probably the best cook I’ve known,” he said. “And especially on the weekends when we were out of school we would get to see her cooking meals.”

A typical weekend Bajan meal might be soup or beef stew. Other national delicacies include cou-cou (a mix of cornmeal and okra) and flying fish. Pudding, a spiced sweet potato bake, is also popular as is souse (pig heads and feet).

Mr Cumberbatch said on Sundays meals were usually the biggest and most enjoyable at his house.

“We would typically have rice and beef stew, macaroni pie — which Bajans are famous for — and baked chicken,” he explained.

“Now it’s a little different, but back in the 1970s, 80s and early 90s when I was a kid that used to be the meal I’d look forward to during the week. It would usually be right after church and all the siblings would get together for lunch.”

He didn’t start dabbling with cooking himself until his university days.

His schedule was a lot more flexible, so he’d help out on days when his mom was working.

When he moved to Bermuda seven years ago, he started cooking even more.

One of his signature dishes is pudding.

“The first time I did it was actually here in Bermuda around four years ago,” the Bermuda College controller explained. “It came out well so I was encouraged to continue to do it.

“Usually in Barbados you go out and buy it pre-made on a Saturday, but because I didn’t have that option here in Bermuda I decided to try and make it on my own.”

In past years, Mr Cumberbatch has prepared just one dish for the event, but this time he’s contributing a few menu items.

“Living here in Bermuda, we don’t really get to enjoy Bajan meals every day so it’s just an occasion for us to enjoy a Bajan meal in Bermuda.”

Bajan Men Can Cook kicks off at 6pm at the Cathedral Church Hall on Church Street.

The $20 entry fee also includes entertainment and games, such as dominoes and drafts.