SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Thousands of miles from Jamaica, the flavors of the Caribbean have made their way to Central New York.
At Jamaika Flava in Syracuse, food is more than a business. It is a family legacy built on sacrifice, determination, and a dream that started generations ago.
“It started in Jamaica. I was gonna say it’s like a franchise from a Jamaican, my dad and my mom,” said restaurant owner Ian Nembhard. “So the name came from my mom and dad, and I’m just trying to carry it on as long as I can, so my kids can come to the same thing.”
For generations, cultural recipes have been passed down through families and communities, and today these traditions are making a meaningful impact in Syracuse.
For those who help run Jamaika Flava, the journey hasn’t always been easy. Building a new life in a new country came with challenges, but it also opened the door to new opportunities.
“Ever since I’ve moved up to New York, everything’s been better. Life’s been better,” said busboy Alex Valcin. “Employment, money, you know, the environment, the friends. You know, just the support and the people that come around. They’re more uplifting.”
That community support has helped turn a family dream into a local favorite. Regulars flock to the restaurant for the rasta pasta, oxtails, and jerk chicken.
But ask what makes their food different, and the answer starts at the special Jamaican grill.
“The flame. A lot of people don’t cook with the flame. Hot. So flame grill,” said jerk chicken chef Neil Barnes. “But I have my little secret. I can’t tell you.”
While the recipe may be a secret, the passion behind it is not. For head chef Robert James, sharing his culture through food is what makes the hard work worth it.
“A lot of the work that I’ve been putting in is just now coming together,” James said. “It feels good to get my food culture out there for everyone.”
At the end of the day, what started 1,700 miles away has truly found a home in Syracuse, where family, culture, and food have come together under one tent.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Jamaican culture brought to Central New York through food passed down through generations
Augie Walters: With Juneteenth approaching, one Syracuse restaurant is doing more than serving meals. It is creating a space for connection and celebration through food and music. People from diverse backgrounds come together to enjoy rich flavors, culture and tradition. Thousands of miles from Jamaica, the flavors of the Caribbean have made their way to Central New York. At Jamaika Flava, food is more than just a business; it’s a family legacy built on sacrifice, determination, and a dream that started generations ago.
Ian Nembhard: It started in Jamaica. I was gonna say it’s like a franchise from a Jamaican, my dad and my mom. So the name came from my mom and dad, and I’m just trying to carry it on as long as I can, so my kids can come do the same thing.
Walters: That family legacy has made its way from Jamaica to the heart of Syracuse. For those who helped run Jamaika Flava, the journey has not always been easy. Building a new life in a new country came with challenges, but it also opened the door for new opportunities.
Alex Valcin: Ever since I’ve moved up to New York, everything’s been better. Life’s been better. The environment, the friends, you know, just the support and the people that come around. They’re more uplifting.
Walters: That support has helped turn a family dream into a local favorite. Customers come for the rasta pasta, oxtails, and jerk chicken. But when asked what makes their food different, it starts with the special Jamaican grill.
Neil Barnes: The flame. A lot of people don’t cook with the flame. Hot. So the flame on the grill. But I have my little secret. I can’t tell you.
Walters: While the recipe may be a secret, the passion behind it isn’t. For head chef Robert James, sharing his culture through food is what makes the hard work worth it.
Robert James: A lot of the work that I’ve been putting in is just now. Like, I could throw it in people’s faces and just get my food culture out there.
Walters: James and the rest of the Jamaika Flava family will be at 415 E Washington Street in South Syracuse serving samples of their signature dishes and bringing the community together through beats and eats this upcoming Saturday.