On the busy stretch of highway heading from Duncan’s to Falmouth where travellers often stop for a taste of Jamaica’s culinary heritage, the Highway Yam Man at Carey Park has long been a fixture. His roadside eatery known for the simplicity of its offerings is among the must-stop places on road trips.

Hurricane Melissa has dampened the spirits and the roasting drums. The storm tore through the popular spot with unforgiving winds and torrential rain, leaving devastation in its wake. For the Yam Man, Miguel Clarke, the damage was catastrophic: the roof of his bar and restaurant ripped away, the farm damaged, and the outdoor dining area reduced to splinters. What was once a vibrant hub of community now stands battered.

“A whole heap a losses, man. The farm get damage — the pumpkin, plantain, sweet potato, callaloo and tomato. Plus the shop whey me sell them from blow dung. The pig pen and chicken coop top gone. I lost the band equipment that we use for the live music; keyboard and them things deh,” Clarke lamented.

“The business is like hand-to-mouth now. Coming from buying 400 to 500 pounds of yam to now only 50 or 25 pounds as the price is now $400.00 per pound. Sweet potato is $300.00 per pound, by the time me roast it, add butter and fish kind nothing no inna it. The suppliers and the customers have damage. Brown’s Town, Albert Town and the customers from Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. Everybody a go through it,” Clarke added.

At 2:00 pm on a Saturday, the day’s limited yam supplies were already exhausted.

Yet amid the wreckage, the Yam Man’s spirit remains unbroken. Standing at the entrance to the restaurant with its refurbished roof beside the destroyed dining area, he speaks not of despair but of gratitude.

“I give God thanks,” he says, his voice steady despite the loss. “A very tough disaster we go through, but every day will not be the same, one day we’ll come back round. The Almighty first in everything, man alive and that’s the greatest thing,” Clarke emphasised.

His words reflect a resilience deeply rooted in Jamaican culture — a belief that storms, no matter how fierce, cannot wash away hope. For him, the hurricane is not the end of his story but a chapter that will one day give way to renewal.

Text and photos: Aceion Cunningham

Highway Yam Man

Carey Park, Trelawny

876-346-5898

Steamed callaloo is a popular request from customers. (Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

Vegetables, including carrots and okra, also on the menu. (Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

The repaired bar with bandstand still missing its roof. (Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

Miguel Clarke and wife Lorna are a picture of resilience amidst the trying times.(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

Curried chicken back with sweet potato(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

View of the Highway Yam Man food spot at Carey Park in Trelawny.(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

Curried chicken back is also on the menu.(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

Steamed salt mackerel, a favourite with the roast yam(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

A section of the damaged outside dining area.(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)

Steamed snapper as part of the daily offerings that include chicken liver, hog head, and steamed pak choi.(Photo: Aceion Cunningham)