US-based Jamaican welder turns cooking hobby into business

The island’s culinary prowess is so strong you can taste it in other countries. And to ensure this rich and diverse culinary history stands predominant amongst the best around the globe, many Jamaicans continue to promote its delicious legacies in various ways.

One such individual is Nyhonie McBean, a Jamaican living in Florida who started a YouTube channel –  Nyyah’s Authentic Cookshop – where you can experience  unique culinary fusion from his homeland.

McBean, who hails from Bounty Hall, Trelawny, is passionate about food and on his channel, which started out as just a hobby four years ago, you will see many of his creative and authentic Jamaican dishes that makes the mouth watery.

“When I was younger, I always loved to cook. When I moved to the United States, my friends always wanted me to cook for them, so I started selling plates. I didn’t start posting about the dishes that I prepared until about one month ago,” he told Old Harbour News in a recent interview.

“In Jamaica, there is such a diverse mix of cultures, African, Indian, European, Asian, native and indigenous tribes, and ethnicities, that over the years, the cuisine of the island has become an amalgamation of all these wonderful cultures,” he added.

A welder by profession, McBean was in between two minds trying to determine, whether to post about his welding work, or turn his hobby into something that could become a viable business.

“I would work during the week as a welder and then I would cook on the weekends. With the current coronavirus pandemic, I have decided to pursue cooking full time, and post the authentic Jamaican dishes that I prepare,” he said, noting that COVID-19 has put a major dent in his welding trade.

Each video provides detail on each dish he prepares, including ingredients, preparation and the finished product. Some of the dishes he has his growing fanbase how to prepare on his channel so far include Jamaican peanut punch, jerk chicken and pork, blue draws or ‘Dukunu’, festival, mannish water and Jamaican oxtail.

“Many persons have asked me how to prepare jerk chicken, and how to fry festival. I have done videos on these dishes with explanations on how to prepare each dish. It is easy to learn and some of the methods are also self-explanatory,” he said.

McBean wants to start a restaurant with the main objective of providing authentic Jamaican dishes. He also wants to start a separate channel, where he can teach persons that are interested in cooking.

“I would love to own my own business that is one of my dreams,” he said. “One of my all-time favourite past times is eating and making the delicious food of my home island. I enjoy food from all four corners of the world, but Jamaican food has a special place in my heart.”

He said his recipes are easy to follow and will teach people how to cook like a Jamaican.

“You will be the hit at your next dinner party, barbeque, or your own dinner table when you serve up a real authentic Jamaican meal. Sit back, relax, and welcome to my Kitchen, where there is always an extra place at the table for you,” McBean said.