Have you ever wondered what Jamaican cuisine looks like through a vegan lens? Close your eyes and imagine vibrant dishes of all colours – spicy callaloo, sweet plantains, aromatic slow-simmered stews – all made with nutritious plant-based ingredients bursting with flavour. Unexpected herbs and spices make their way onto unique plates that have been nourishing the island’s inhabitants for generations. It might be time to explore this Caribbean culinary unicorn: Jamaican cuisine gone vegan – and you can do that at one of the four Natural Blend cafés across the bustling borough of Brooklyn in New York City. Jamaican-born restaurateurs Deonne and Dave Wallace invite New Yorkers daily to join them on a taste adventure: Get ready to sample fresh flavours inspired by the islands…I can guarantee a clean feast fit for a healthier you!

Boasting a diverse menu of mouth-watering soy-based dishes that will tantalise your taste buds, Natural Blend offers something for everyone – from Ital stews, spicy jerk chicken, and the Jamaican national dish to vibrant vegetarian options that celebrate the abundance of fresh produce available in New York. The infusion of Caribbean spices into vegan cuisine has undeniably been a game-changer in the culinary world. For many years, Caribbean-inspired dishes have been associated with meat-based cuisine, making it challenging for vegan restaurants to attract a broad audience. However, this innovative approach has opened up a new world of taste sensations and challenged the norm within the food industry. The soybean is one of the most versatile ingredients used in vegan cuisine, and Caribbean spices bring it to life in an unforgettable way. With vegan options like Mac & Cheese w Citrus Pulled Ribs and Rum Cake, New Yorkers have something to indulge in. The brothers also serve carefully chosen organic fermented alcohol that can be paired with these dishes.

The restaurant’s commitment to using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients ensures that every dish is a celebration of flavour, texture, and colour. According to Dave, Natural Blend started out doing juices and pastries. “I have a couple of Rastafarian friends. They were telling me I need to cook a little Ital food. That’s how we got into the cuisine part of our business. As word spread, people were coming from near and far.” The first café opened in the early 2000s. Today, the brothers boast their menus at prime real estate spots in Brooklyn, the most populous borough in New York.

One of its cafés sits on Malcolm X Boulevard, a street named in honour of the late human rights activist and vocal advocate for black empowerment. Today, entrepreneurs like the Wallace brothers proudly enjoy the fruits of his labour while remaining conscious of the challenges black-owned businesses face.

The brothers live by a simple motto: “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine your food.” The former St Thomas residents deliberately positioned a different message on Jamaican cuisine to New Yorkers. “We saw what was lacking but also what is saturated and what everybody else is doing. We looked at what makes us different from everybody else,” Deonne said.

He also created a natural blend design so patrons can blend in naturally with the environment. “Whatever religion you are from or profession, we want you to be in a comfortable space. I decided to incorporate that idea into the design. You cannot miss that this reflects the Caribbean, but it will be in a way where we don’t have the loud music that might be threatening. It is so soothing that anybody can come into a space and feel relaxed.”

Natural Blend is not just a restaurant; it is a testament to the power of good food and community, bringing people together over delicious, wholesome meals.

To find out more about Natural Blend Café, please visit Instagram @natural.blend.beddsty