Ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, local eatery Mystic Thai stepped into action, partnering with the humanitarian food relief organisation World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute meals to homes and shelters across the island.

Together, Mystic Thai and WCK began coordinating well ahead of the storm’s landfall, ensuring that kitchens, shelters and community centres would have hot meals ready when the hurricane passed. They were also able to feed people in four different locations including the National Arena a day before the hurricane.

The last set of meals went out early on Tuesday, October 28.

According to WCK’s public update, they were “coordinating with local restaurant partners to ensure they can serve meals once the hurricane passes”.

Preparing in advance

The restaurant’s team worked late into the evening assembling comforting plates of chicken curry with rice and salad, in readiness for distribution. The collaboration meant that even as the storm shutters were going up, the meals were already cooked and staged for delivery.

A grateful collaboration

Mystic Thai’s directors expressed deep gratitude for the partnership with WCK, saying the combined effort allowed them to serve vulnerable individuals — particularly families in shelters, persons displaced due to the storm.

The coordination helped leverage the restaurant’s kitchen and staff, and WCK’s logistic capacity.

Looking ahead

As the storm passes and relief operations ramp up, the team from Mystic Thai will continue working with WCK to assess food needs in affected communities, replenish kitchens, and even reroute meal distribution if roads or power are disrupted. The goal: Keep food flowing despite the storm’s disruption.

Community strength

This effort underscores a broader spirit of community resilience in Jamaica: Local businesses joining with international relief agencies to ensure no one is left without a hot meal when the winds die down and recovery begins.

Thursday Food lauds this effort by Mystic Thai and would also like to acknowledge the many chefs who have reached out including James Beard award-winning Chef Andrew Black and Chef Roger Mooking who are eager to galvanise suppport for Jamaica.

Those wishing to Support Jamaica Official Recovery Relief may do so @supportjamaica.gov.jm

Individual servings of chicken curry with rice and salad.

Mystic Thai team members Mahesh Singh (left) and Prakash Singh plate chicken curry and rice..

Plates of chicken curry with rice and salad, ready to be distributed..

Chef Prakash Singh in prep mode.

Mystic Thai team member Vishwajeet Singh (second left) drops off meals at the National Arena.

Chicken curry being prepared.

Chef Ajay Singh of Mystic Thai adds curry to the fish/basmati rice and pak choy meals.