How to Open an Authentic Jamaican Restaurant in Belgrade, Serbia

by Marko Korac
(Serbia)

ANSWER: by Wellesley Gayle
Hey Marko!
Congrats for wanting to bring authentic Jamaican food to Serbia - love it! 🇯🇲🇷🇸 That’s an exciting idea, and I love that you want to make it as true to Jamaican standards as possible. Here's what I'm thinking are the key steps to make your dream a reality, first...

1. Finding a Jamaican Food Supplier
   Since our cuisine relies heavily on local spices, seasonings, and fresh ingredients, sourcing authentic products is a big deal. And here's what I think.
   
   Importing Directly from Jamaica`
   You can source Jamaican seasonings, sauces, and dry goods from trusted sources, including:
   
   
   
   • Walkerswood (jerk seasoning, escovitch sauce, etc.)
     
   • Grace Foods (ackee, callaloo, canned goods)
     
   • Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) – They export meats, seafood, and other food items.
     
   • Jamaican farmers and markets – If you need fresh Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento, or local herbs, direct sourcing is an option.
     
   
   You may need to check Serbia’s import regulations to ensure these items can be legally brought in first though.
   
   Alternative Sourcing
   If importing from Jamaica is too expensive, you can check:
   
   
   
   • Caribbean food suppliers in the UK or USA, as they often export internationally.
     
   • Local substitutes (e.g., habanero peppers instead of Scotch bonnet, if necessary).
     
   
   
   
2. Finding a Good Jamaican Chef
   A restaurant is only as good as the chef in the kitchen! Here’s how you can find an experienced Jamaican cook:
   
   
   
   
   • Reach out to Jamaican culinary schools – Institutions like HEART/NSTA Trust train professional chefs who specialize in local cuisine.
     
   • Jamaican chefs living abroad – Some chefs may be open to relocating for the right opportunity.
     
   • Post job listings in Jamaican business groups – Websites like LinkedIn, or even our Facebook and YouTube community groups could be helpful.
     
   • Partner with a local chef and provide training – If you can’t get a Jamaican chef right away, a Serbian chef could be trained in authentic cooking methods.
     
   
   
   
3. Staff Training in Jamaican Hospitality
   Jamaican food is one thing, but the Jamaican vibes and service are just as important! You might need to train your staff on:
   
   
   
   • How to speak to customers with that warm, friendly Jamaican energy.
     
   • A bit of culture, history etc... The meaning of dishes and cultural significance (e.g., why we eat ackee and saltfish, how jerk chicken is traditionally made, etc.).
     
   • Reggae and Jamaican music in the restaurant – Create the full island experience!
     
   
   
   
4. Visiting Jamaica for Research & Networking
   Since you’re serious about this, visiting Jamaica is one of the best moves you can make. While here, you can:
   
   
   
   • Connect with chefs, farmers, and suppliers directly.
     
   • Taste-test real Jamaican food to perfect your recipes.
     
   • Learn about cooking techniques and local flavors firsthand.
     
   
   If you do visit, try going to some of our iconic places. These include:
   
   
   
   • Boston Jerk Centre (Portland) – The home of authentic jerk chicken and pork.
     
   • The local markets (Charles Gordon in Mobay, Coronation in Kgn etc) – One of the best places to see real Jamaican produce.
     
   • Local cookshops and restaurants – Talk to local chefs and get inspiration.
     
   
   

Marko, trust me, I love this brilliant idea, and I love your enthusiasm for Jamaican culture! Setting up an authentic Jamaican restaurant in Belgrade will take work, but I think it’s 100% possible with the right sourcing, chef, and marketing approach.

If you need help connecting with suppliers, chefs, or training, feel free to reach out. By the way, I have a friend, Nikaela who is studying there, she'd be delighted to stop by there! 🇯🇲🔥

Blessings my friend!

Regards,
WG

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