JamDown Kitchens bringing exceptional Jamaican cuisine to Canada

BY WAZARI JOHNSON

All over the world Jamaica is known for a number of great things: our gorgeous beaches, beautiful landscape, our warm and welcoming people, our influential music and musical icons.  Another thing that is world famous is its outstanding food offerings, which tantalize the taste buds and satisfy the pallet.

In my travels I have seen Jamaican restaurants in various places the world over, and our food has been included in pop culture references. I have even heard the saying that, “In the Caribbean, Jamaican food reigns.”  In this article, we learn about a young lady that decided to launch a Jamaican food business in Canada, our food ambassador being featured is Aisha Johnson.

Aisha’s very interesting journey started in Wood Hall Clarendon, which is in central Jamaica. The first of three daughters for her parents, Aisha grew up being very responsible with daily chores being introduced very early in her daily routine. One of those chores included preparing meals for her two younger siblings, as her parents were very busy, self-employed persons.

While food preparation was a part of her life from early, her initial plan was to become a journalist. “Growing up, my initial career path was to become a journalist.  I had an attention for details, and was able to effectively communicate with and to others. I even went to college and studied journalism for three years during which I realized that even though I enjoyed communication as an overall topic, my real passion was cooking.  I could utilize this medium where all my traits and skills as a journalist was just as useful.”

Aisha also works in the IT sector. Her current job description is a Genius. That said, I think you may have figured out that, she works with Apple Inc. “My company prides itself on being different; our job titles do not follow the standards. On a typical day my job entails taking appointments with customers who are experiencing technical difficulties with their devices.”

Aisha, dances between two worlds: Apple Genius and culinary genius at the same time. Solving computer problems, and preparing delectable culinary delightful meals for clients are all a part of her professional journey.

For Aisha, it seems that getting involved in the food service industry and entrepreneurship was inescapable.  She has a love relationship with food and food preparation. It appears it was in her genes all along. “My mother is an entrepreneur who started in the food industry; she prepared and sold natural juices and went on to own a restaurant. My father, who is an educated Mechanical Engineer, moved back to Jamaica from Canada and ventured into the farming industry. I can either attribute it to fate or good judgment. Either way, I knew I wanted to turn my passion into a business when I became of age. I think now is the time.”

Her passion just drew her in, and she kept experimenting with food based projects when she was afforded the time. “I had always posted videos and pictures of my cooking sessions over on social media. People would comment and ask me when I was starting my business; however, I never thought it was the right time as I had a full time job. I felt I was well balanced and financially sound.  Little did I gather, that side businesses were not always about the extra income, but about the impact it made on others.”  Aisha then shared further, “A friend was having a baby shower when her caterer cancelled last minute, and I quickly came up with a rather simple meal idea and went to the supermarket. I walked in and two hours later we had food and happy guests. Everyone was so impressed with my work and offered endless compliments. A few days later I received a call from one of the ladies at the event who asked me if I would take a catering order.  Although I had mentioned I was not licensed, she insisted. I took the business offer. JamDown Kitchen was born that day back in 2019 and was registered and licensed the same year.”

Concerning her future plans for her business she has this to say, “I have a few goals and timelines for my business. I am personally working on perfecting my craft of cooking. Although there is no such thing as perfect, there is one when it comes to cooking and catering for people. I am currently working on publicity in my city as well as close towns and villages.  My goal is to extend into other areas.  I have to understand that although Canada might be diverse, the Caribbean population is dense in certain areas and my main objective is to target those areas. I would also like to introduce our cuisine to other people from around the globe. I am hopeful that my food will bring the opportunity to travel and feed people around the world.”

“COVID-19 is proving to be the most challenging obstacle thus far,” Aisha continues. “I had catering events booked from March through to August which have now been cancelled. Some of my customers have asked why I haven’t started selling individual meals, and the honest truth is that even though I’m not physically going into work, I am still working from home on a schedule.  Doing individual meals would be a little too demanding and since I cook by myself, I wouldn’t be able to facilitate the demand for orders.”

JamDown Kitchen is making impact in more ways than just feeding people with delicious meals Aisha had this to share “Someone said to me the other day, that my food pictures and videos made them feel like home, that’s what I’m really trying to create for people. I have always wanted to give back to the country that cultivated me and made me the woman that I am today. 

 If my business becomes established, I will be creating branches in Jamaica to help create job opportunities in the economy. I will definitely be importing materials from Jamaica to create meals.  Have you ever heard anyone say the food in Jamaica taste sweeter?  It’s true, I buy groceries here and cook the same meal I would cook if I were home and it just taste way better in Jamaica. So, if I could import my ingredients straight from the source I know satisfaction is inevitable.”

I can honestly say I am expecting to see great things from this young lady, she is disciplined, a hard worker and she has resolve, I believe she will contribute to the country of her birth when she succeeds. I wish her all the best in her endeavors.