Past visitors to Cayman already know about Tukka East, so here’s some great news as you make plans to return to beautiful Cayman. Chef Ron Hargrave, a native Australian and long-time Cayman Islands resident, has brought a fresh Aussie breeze to West Bay with Tukka West Bay at Morgan’s Harbour, in the location of the former Catch Restaurant.
For our May 2022 Passenger Pick of the Month, we’ll begin with an overview of Ron’s background and his style of cuisine. Then we’ll hear about the great things going on at Tukka West Bay. With Chef Ron Hargrave, we celebrate the return of past visitors and first-time guests!
PP: Ron, let’s start with your background. What made you choose cooking as a career? And how has your career progressed?
RH: As a little bugger, I enjoyed helping my mum in the kitchen. I became known as “the family’s chef” at 12 when I presented my sister with a homemade birthday cake. At 14 I started working in restaurant kitchens until I graduated high school, then enrolled in Professional Catering School. I did a four-year apprenticeship with Ambassador Hotels, which took me to several Australian cities. From there I went on to chef for several prestigious hotels.
PP: Wow! You got started at a young age! So how did you get from Australia to Cayman?
RH: One afternoon in August ‘98 I saw a small advertisement in the paper, “Cayman Islands need chefs.” After a telephone interview with Executive Chef Patrick Maloir of the Westin Casuarina Resort, I moved here in February ’99, sight unseen. I started at the Westin as a line cook and worked my way to a Sous Chef. Then I had stints as Executive Chef at several 
outstanding Cayman restaurants, the best one being the last one because that’s where I met my beautiful wife, Lana. Then in 2010, we finally realized our dream and opened Tukka at East End!
PP: We’re so glad that you found your way to Cayman! Ron, let’s talk food. Describe your signature style of cuisine and the concept behind the creation of Tukka.
RH: I’m a true blue Queensland born Aussie, so the concept of Tukka is native Caribbean and Australian fusion. It’s Caribbean food with an Australian blend, so you may get a jerk kangaroo; you’ll have an Aussie burger, which is probably one of the biggest burgers you’re going to eat. We’ve got a steak and mushroom pie, which is 
sort of the equivalent of a Jamaican beef patty. I call our cuisine “A taste of Australia with a Caribbean twist”.
PP: And before we shift gears to talk about your new restaurant Tukka West, remind us about the origin and the meaning of the name Tukka.
RH: The word Tukka comes from the Native Australian Aborigines. It means native food, or food from the land. It’s Tukka Time!
PP: That’s a fun definition! It is Tukka Time, and we’re ready to hear about Tukka West! We are well aware that your new location is ideal for getting the freshest fish. Is it true you can watch the local fisherman bring in the catch of the day?
RH: Yeah! Tukka West Bay is right on Morgan’s Harbour dock, and we have access to the freshest fish! Our daily catch includes Yellow Fin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Snapper, and Lion Fish. The delicious Caribbean spiny Lobster will show up on our menu when it’s in season.
PP: We’re happy to hear that your Full Moon Rising Dinners will also be available at Tukka West Bay. We know from experience that the moon looks even more beautiful from your superb waterfront location.
RH: You are right! In fact, both East End and Tukka West Bay locations are ideal for watching the full moon rise from the horizon of the Caribbean Sea! Every month guests can sip their favorite wine or enjoy a mouthwatering seafood platter while they gaze at one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural events–the rising of the full moon. This amazing sight can be viewed 
for 3 magnificent nights every month. We dim the lights in order to fully appreciate this unique experience. Follow us on FaceBook or Instagram (@tukka_cayman) for dates and moonrise times.
PP: Your daily specials have always been great. What are some of the daily specials and weekly events you have at Tukka West Bay?
RH: We have you covered no matter what side of Grand Cayman you will be staying! Our most popular special is 2 for 1 Taco Tuesdays when TWO tacos are $6, and Margaritas are just $6 each! Some taco choices are peanut chicken, blackened fish, pulled pork or chicken, and vegetarian. Wednesdays are wonderful, so we spice things up a bit with our $20 Curry and Pint Night–savory Indian curry and an ice cold Pint of Caybrew for just $20! And Monday to Friday, we have our 
irresistible Happy Hour from 3 until 6 PM. We have great prices on cocktails, wine, and Caybrew beer as well as as awesome selection of tapas and canapés. And don’t forget our Famous Island Style Sunday Brunch with the option to add “Bottomless Bubbles”!
PP: Well, I’m hungry now! Ron, you made local Lion Fish a specialty on the island. Have you kept it on your menu at Tukka West?
RH: Absolutely! We daily serve up our famous local Lion Fish two different ways—either as ceviche with cilantro, peppers, and corn chips or as our Famous Lionfish Tacos served on a toasted flour tortilla with cabbage slaw, crispy fried onions, and twin tartar & sweet chili sauces. We’ll keep doing our part to protect Cayman’s beautiful reefs from these feisty little critters that threaten the marine ecosystem.
PP: How have you changed the menu options at Tukka West?
RH: Actually, given the large variety of options and personal favorites, we decided to keep the menus in both locations the same. This way we don’t confuse our diners and visitors who come back year after year for dishes like the Sizzling Bouillabaisse plate and Tukka Brochettes. We have one menu that is available 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, so your favorites will always be available whether you dine at East Bay or Tukka West!
PP: Ron, you’ve built quite a famous rum collection over the years. Tell us about your rum flights!
RH: I knew you would ask this one! Yes, I do love my rum, and over many years I have managed to collect one of the 
largest private collections in the world. We even have a Rum Museum located at our new West Bay location. I try to make rum fun!
The menu says it all; you are given multiple options of the world’s best rums, and the flight is served on a 3-flight paddle. You choose your rum options and pricing by flying Economy, Business, First Class or Pilots Elite. It’s a unique way to taste and compare rare and exotic rums for a fraction of the price. As well I am happy to announce we have just received the 3rd addition of our Tukka Wreck View Rum that was aged and bottled right here in the Cayman Islands by our partners The Cayman Spirit Company. Join us for some Rum Fun!
PP: Sounds like a lot of fun! The “buzz” is that you have trained the frigate birds to come in for a daily feeding at Tukka West like they do at your sister restaurant on the East End. What are the times you feed these local seabirds birds?
RH: That’s correct. These majestic birds with their 6-foot wingspan visit Tukka at both locations every night at 5 for a snack before going off to roost near by. When the chefs come out to feed the birds and tarpon, grab a glove and try your hand at feeding them!
PP: Ron, as we wrap up here, what would you like to say to your customers, both the ones who know the quality of your work and the folks you’ve yet to meet?
RH: The truth is that a lot has changed over the past couple of years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that I still want everyone who comes to Tukka, either location or both, to have an awesome experience and enjoy great food with friendly service. My job as a chef has been done when our guests have a great 
meal and a fun night. Hope to see you soon!
PP: Folks, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to dine and to have fun at Chef Ron Hargrave’s newest restaurant—Tukka West Bay at Morgan’s Harbour.