The yam is placed over fire and roasted until it is tender. - Photos by Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Located along the Melrose Hill bypass in Manchester, the Melrose Hill Yam Park is home to some 35 vendors. As the name indicates, yam is the main speciality served with salt fish.

For years, vendors have been satisfying appetites with roasted yam and salt fish but some customers opt for just the yam with a little butter.

The park, which was established over six years now, has been the home for vendors since their previous selling spot was affected by the construction of the bypass.

Variety of offerings

Much more organised, there are stalls set up to accommodate the vendors and their food items.

Over time, the offerings have been expanded and vary, giving customers more food options.

"We have roast yam and saltfish, but we also have roast sweet potato, roast corn and all regular cooked breakfast and lunch specials right here," said the very talkative and friendly Carmen Knight.

A vendor of roast yam and saltfish since the 1980s, Knight, who is known by many as Granny Razor, says the busiest times are during holidays and when parties or festivals are held nearby.

Competitive trading

Hungry for sales and to serve, at the approach of a motor vehicle, the park becomes a testing ground for track stars. Competitively bolting towards vehicles, vendors try to outdo each other for a sale. Swarming motor vehicles, customers will have vendors from whom to pick, choose and refuse.

However, the elderly Granny Razor has to rely on her charm.

"I can't run with them at all. I not so young no more, so I have to rely on my mouth and talk people into buying from me. I jokify you know and full of lyrics, that's why I got the name," said the witty one.

Demonstrating her wit, Granny Razor automatically gave this reporter her new name, Miss Precious and from the beginning and end of meeting her, the name stuck.

FOOD Prepared on spot

Admittedly, Granny Razor said business was not as good as before, hence the literal race for a sale. But the race is sometimes not at all necessary as each vendor has his/her own faithful customer.

Everything is prepared on spot and coal stoves are a fixture at this place. Wrapped in alumnium foil, the roasted yam is served alone or with the saltfish roasted or cooked down. But the vendors noted that the roast yam served alone or with butter is a hit with customers.

This is ideal for those persons on the run who just want a bite.

It is said also that tourists, like locals, support the vendors every chance they get.

With sufficient parking space, customers can utilise the space and indulge in the offerings sold. During a visit, some customers were seen enjoying their purchases standing beside their motor vehicles. And there were others who just didn't tarry at all.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com

Granny Razor shows off her freshly roasted yam. She is known for her lyrics at the Melrose Hill yam park in Manchester.

Jamaican resident in New York, Johnathan Burnett, says getting a piece of roasted yam always completes his visits back home.

With different names identifying each stall, vendors have their own customers, but still they never cease to make new ones.