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ONE of the kingdom’s most colourful culinary characters is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of a major hospital after suffering a life-threatening stroke.
Friends are rallying round to collect funds to help transport Errin Stone – better known as ‘Mr Slice’ by food fans in Bahrain and the ‘man with the big voice, personality and heart to match’ – back home to Canada.
The 54-year-old chef who ran popular pizza palaces in Seef and Juffair, as well as holding other senior chef roles in recent years, is currently in a coma at King Hamad University Hospital with his teenage son, Aspen, by his bedside.
“To all who know him, dad is ‘Mr Slice’ or simply Errin, a kind and approachable man, generous with his time and energy,” Aspen, 19, said.
“He’s always been more than willing to talk to and help others, but would never ask for anything in return. He’s a cherished son, father, colleague and a good friend to many.”
Aspen is following in his father’s footsteps into the hospitality sector. He has worked alongside him in the kitchen but was participating in an internship in Canada, at the time of the tragedy, as part of the Culinary Institute of Bahrain’s three-year programme.
Mr Slice was taken ill on January 10. He collapsed after seeing off a travelling friend at Bahrain International Airport.
As soon as news travelled around the island of how serious Errin’s condition was, friends immediately rallied together to contact and make travel arrangements to bring his son back to Bahrain.
“There are a couple of Bahrainis who adore Mr Slice and would visit him on many occasions for their favourite pizza. On social media platforms like Instagram they call themselves the ‘Cult of Slice @ pizza’,” explained Aspen.
“Abdulwahab Basil, for example, was a regular at Mr Slice and created a series of raps in his honour – they are very funny and show how much my dad is loved.
“My dad is always the life and soul of the party, so, as one might expect, the news of what happened came as a shock to everyone, me included. I didn’t want to believe what I was hearing because only two days before the stroke he seemed so happy and well.”
Since Errin has been admitted to hospital he has undergone two operations. The hospital has declined to make any official comment on his condition due to doctor-patient confidentiality, but his son says his dad is currently in an ‘unresponsive state’.
“I believe some of the procedures have included removing a piece of his skull from the left side of his brain, to my understanding, to relieve pressure because of the amount of bleeding,” explained Aspen. He has also undergone a tracheostomy to assist his breathing.
Mr Slice was admitted to a recovery ward following surgery but then suffered a cardiac arrest and was moved back to ICU. His vital signs are stable but his eyes remain closed ‘almost as if he is sleeping and he is unresponsive’, said his son.
A stroke on the left side of the brain affects the right side of the body. Medical experts say language difficulties may occur as the left hemisphere of the brain controls the ability to talk and listen.
Aspen’s aim is to help his father get the best treatment possible in Bahrain so that he can take him back home to Canada. He has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for treatment and awareness of his father’s condition.
“One of my dad‘s colleagues actually gave me the idea as soon as he found out what had happened,” said Aspen. “He informed me about what the website was and how to set it up and I started it to try and raise money for my father’s reparation and rehabilitation.
“Even though I love Bahrain and have many close friends here, I really would like to take dad back to Canada where he can receive free health care.”
Errin has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, which he entered to supplement his income while he was a student at performing arts school. After running a restaurant in Jamaica from 1996 to 2005, called Mr Slice – an Italian pizzeria and restaurant on a seven-mile beach, he moved to Canada until an opportunity came up in the Middle East at the Al Riwaq Art Space Café in Adliya.
He was chosen from a shortlist of 15 candidates and started work at the venue in October 2011, soon making positive headline news.
Afterwards, he returned to his passion for pizza by working with Pizza Empress, followed by his own Mr Slice projects, which was conceptualised by Errin and his ex-wife Christine E. Smith, 48, a Jamaican teacher now living in Ghana.
He even wrote a special poem about his endeavours During his time on the island he often encouraged and supported entrepreneurs such as businessman Sam Camille by starting a spicy new toppings line of pizza, in collaboration, by using portions of Camille’s Chili product, see below.
“My dad came here to take up a business opportunity while he was in Canada and I came to join him when I was 13 because my mum thought I needed a male role model at that stage of my life,” explained Aspen.
“I have lived with my dad for more than six years now and during that time I would help at his restaurant so I could gain a better understanding of the business side of things. Now, I want to be a chef just like my dad.”
Errin always ended his conversations, be it taking pizza orders or chatting with friends on social media, with the phrase ‘One Love’ and that spirit and vibe continues to spread around the kingdom. Mr Slice was also well known for encouraging aspiring singers as he was a renowned vocalist from his early showbiz training and even recorded a YouTube rap video.
In just a few weeks more than 60 supporters have helped raise almost $6,000 of Aspen’s $10,000 target.
As Mr Slice’s only son, Aspen, is trying his best to deal with the situation. He has requested understanding and leniency on his dad’s outstanding visa charges and believes if he can raise the funds to cover the cost of returning to Canada he will be in a better position to support him on his long battle back to health.
For more details visit https://www.gofundme.com/help-mrslice-back-to-recovery
‘I am Mr Slice
And everything is real nice
I’m just healing the hunger,
mornin’ noon and night
And I slice it, dice it,
anyway you like’.
