Last Updated on April 8, 2026
More Than a Vacation: A Jamaican Culinary Experience You Can’t Get at a Resort
Why We’re Creating the Mais Oui Culinary Weekend in Jamaica
There’s something I’ve been noticing for a while now.
And the truth is… I don’t think I’m overreacting.
A significant part of Jamaican culture is either fading, being diluted, or quietly disappearing.
And instead of sitting back and complaining about it, I’ve decided to do something about it.
What a Jamaican Culinary Experience Really Means
A true Jamaican culinary experience goes beyond what you’ll find at a resort or restaurant.
It’s not just about eating the food. It’s about understanding where it comes from, how it’s made, and what it represents.
That’s the difference between visiting Jamaica and actually experiencing it.
Why This Matters to Me
Jamaica isn’t just a place I talk about.
It’s home.
I’ve lived here.
And through Mais Oui Villa, built and developed by our family since 2000, we’ve been intentional about how we show up in this space.
We hire locals.
We work with local farmers for fresh produce.
We’ve partnered with a Jamaican wood artist to create much of the furniture at the villa.
Almost all the art you’ll see is original work by Jamaican artists.
Preserving and supporting Jamaican culture has always been part of what we do.
But food is a different layer.
Some of the dishes, the methods, and the stories behind them are not as visible or as accessible as they once were.
And that’s where this idea comes from.
The Culture Is Changing — And Not Always for the Better
Of course, culture evolves. It should.
We don’t need to go back to cooking on three stones with a pot balanced over firewood just to prove a point. We have modern kitchens now, and that’s a good thing.
But here’s what I believe:
Just because we’ve moved forward doesn’t mean we should lose what came before.
Because there is something deeply special, almost irreplaceable, about the way food used to be prepared. The methods. The patience. The flavors. The connection.
And if we’re not careful, those things don’t evolve… they disappear.
Foods That Are Becoming Memories Instead of Experiences
There are dishes today that many Jamaicans, especially younger ones, have never even heard of.
Blue drawers, for example.
A simple, beautiful dessert made from cornmeal and raisins, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled until done.
I mentioned it recently to a few teenagers.
The looks on their faces told me everything.
They had no idea what I was talking about.
And it hit me in that moment. These aren’t just foods disappearing. These are pieces of identity.
I still get genuinely excited when I see traditional sweets like coconut drops, grater cake, or tamarind balls. These used to be everywhere, sold at roadside shops, part of everyday life.
Now, they feel like rare discoveries.
We’re Losing the Stories Too
Food is never just food.
It’s history. It’s survival. It’s adaptation. It’s creativity.
But how often do we stop and ask:
Where did this dish come from?
Why was it made this way?
What does it say about who we are?
Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many, One People.”
And there is no better place to see that than in our food.
African, Indian, Chinese, European influences — all coming together in ways that are uniquely Jamaican.
But if we don’t tell those stories, if we don’t create spaces where they can be experienced… they fade.
This part is harder to say, but it’s true.
You can come to Jamaica today, stay at a beautiful resort, enjoy great weather, great service… and still leave without ever truly experiencing Jamaica.
There’s a difference between visiting a place and connecting with it.
I recently stayed at a hotel in Jamaica where most of the performers and service people were from outside Jamaica.
And while they were talented, it made me pause.
Because authentic Jamaican cultural experiences are becoming harder to find, even here.
Why We Started Mais Oui Villa
When we created Mais Oui Villa, it was never just about offering a place to stay.
It was about showing that Jamaica is more than sun, sea, and sand, or rum, Rasta, reggae, and reefer.
It was about creating a space for connection, for experiences, for something that actually feels like Jamaica.
And now, it’s become clear to me that one of the most important parts of that mission is the need to preserve Jamaican food culture.
Introducing the Mais Oui Culinary Weekend in Jamaica
This is why we’re doing this.
We’re creating something intentionally small, personal, and immersive:
A limited, invitation-style culinary weekend at Mais Oui Villa.
This is different from how Mais Oui Villa is typically experienced.
The villa has always been rented to one group at a time, offering privacy and a fully customized stay.
This weekend is a separate, hosted experience, created intentionally for a small number of guests who want to explore Jamaican culture through food in a more shared, curated setting.
- 3 or 4 nights
- 8–12 guests
- A curated Jamaican food experience
This is not a cooking class.
It’s not a resort food festival.
It’s something much more intimate.
Guests will:
Experience traditional and modern Jamaican dishes
Meet the chef and understand the “why” behind the food
Taste ingredients in their natural setting
Hear the stories that don’t make it onto menus
It’s about slowing down.
Paying attention.
And experiencing Jamaica through one of the most powerful lenses we have:
Our food.
This Is About Preservation and Participation
This isn’t just about coming to eat.
It’s about being part of something that matters.
Because culture doesn’t preserve itself.
It survives when people care enough to experience it, share it, and pass it on.
If This Speaks to You…
This experience will be small by design.
Not everyone will be able to attend.
But if you’re someone who:
- values meaningful travel
- wants more than a typical vacation
- appreciates food as culture, not just cuisine
Then this may be something you’ll want to be part of.
We’ll be sharing more details soon.
This is one small way I can contribute to making sure it isn’t lost.
‘Til next time.
Think and dream Jamaica!
Sherry, Darrell, and Darrian
Visit our website: https://MakeItJamaica.com
Give us a call: 833.624.7684 (toll-free) or 914.709.0457
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