Devonn Francis's Caribbean Roots Taught Him How to Curate Perfect Events

"As a first-generation Jamaican American, Devonn Francis has always seen food as a way to build community-a value rooted in his childhood, which was spent surrounded by his family and their shared love of cooking. Francis, who is the chef and artist behind Yardy, explains that when he's cooking and hosting, he factors in "the flavors, the way things look, and the smells and the sensations that come with it.""

""My lens on cooking starts with my family and then goes into kitchens," says Francis. "Everything I do starts with where my family comes from-it's a point of pride for me-making really delicious things in general and feeling proud of what you are presenting to someone." Through Yardy, he's put together special events with bespoke menus that speak to his heritage-and when I spoke with him for his collaboration with The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, Francis's unique touch was immediately visible."

Devonn Francis, a first-generation Jamaican American, treats food as a communal practice rooted in family and shared cooking. He considers flavors, presentation, aromas, and sensations when cooking and hosting, reflecting a Caribbean tone of candid hospitality. Growing up in Virginia fostered a view of cooking as synonymous with inviting guests into the home. Through his creative brand Yardy, he stages experiential, art-filled pop-ups with bespoke menus that celebrate his heritage. A collaboration with The Glenlivet for its 12-Year-Old Jamaica Edition paired Caribbean-driven dishes—catfish nuggets, lamb kabobs with curry vinaigrette, and a doughnut with halva and whisky caramel glaze—to highlight the whisky's mango, pineapple, and coconut notes.

Read at Bon Appetit