Award-winning Bermudian chef Fred Ming will soon be able to add cooking for Quincy Jones to his vast resume.

The veteran chef was featured in this newspaper's lifestyle section last week for receiving Cuisine of the Year Cordon D'Or Gold Ribbon in the International Culinary Academy Awards.

The story caught the eye of Bermuda Music Festival co-producer Rock Newman who personally asked Mr. Ming to cook for Mr. Jones.

Mr. Ming said he was very proud to be chosen to prepare "gastronomical delights" for the music legend.

"Well you know, my picture appeared in the newspaper and Mr. Newman saw me there and said 'this is the guy that we need that fits with the programme'. Quincy Jones is outstanding and they needed a quality chef.

"When he travels, he likes to try the food of the country. The average person when they travel wants to try indigenous foods. I provided them with a list of gastronomical delights."

Mr. Ming said he was looking forward to catering for Mr. Jones and his entourage.

"It as a very great privilege to be a part of this event. It's like cooking for the Queen of England."

Mr. Jones is here for three nights for the Bermuda Music Festival, which starts on Thursday, and he will be cooking every night for Mr. Jones and will prepare food for his entourage of about 20 people.

"The food will be at the back of the stage. Every time people get offstage, there's a room for them to sit down and have a drink and get local food."

Asked about his opinion of Mr. Jones, Mr. Ming said: "Despite his age he's still very active. He's like the king of music. He's worked with so many artists. He still has his act together and I think he tries to create music that's suitable for the day like the people of the day."

As for what Mr. Jones likes and dislikes, the chef said he likes chicken and fish.

"Listening to some of the organisers, everybody gives me an idea of what he does like. If he likes chicken then fine. We will mix it with mango or loquats. Give it some sort of Bermudian twist. You find that fruit and vegetable is always conducive to everybody's appetite."

Mr. Ming said the food he will serve will be finger foods and mini-bites rather than a sit-down dinner. He said the food was designed so that those eating can have a drink as they eat.

The chef will have three staff with him including his son and Kurt Wilks of Wilks Catering.

Mr. Ming taught culinary arts at the Bermuda College for 23 years before retiring and is the author of two local cookbooks, 'Bermuda Traditions' and 'Bermuda Favourites'.

ON THE MENU

Here are some of the gastronomical delights chef Fred Ming will prepare for music legend Quincy Jones.

Bermuda Fish Chowder

Conch Fritters

Codfish Cakes

Cassava Pie

Rockfish with Banana

Pork Strips with Mango

Curried Mussel Tarts

Fish Kebabs with Cucumber Yoghurt Sauce

Lamb Chili Shells and Pawpaw

Chicken Winglets with Mango and Rum Sauce