I am CaribBeing honors Best of Little Caribbean winners

On June 1, I am CaribBeing hosted the Inaugural Best of Little Caribbean to celebrate and honor Flatbush, Brooklyn’s restaurant and small business owners successes. This festive occasion kicked off National Caribbean American Heritage Month at Prospect Park’s Boathouse. Winners were awarded in 12 categories including Best Jerk, Best Roti/Doubles, Best Bakery, Best Vibes/Customer Service and were chosen from just under 1,000 community votes and a panel of Little Caribbean experts.

In attendance were 200 guests including business owners from Bamboo Walk Restaurant, Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, Ali’s Roti Shop, Aunts et Uncles, Lips Cafe and others. Other distinguished guests included Council Member Rita Joseph, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, NYS Assembly Member Phara Souffrant-Forrest, Consul General Mackie Holder, Executive Deputy Commissioner Dynishal Gross, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Kim Council.

The organization also announced its first ever #MyLittleCaribbean Perks program, where visitors can receive special offers from over a dozen businesses notably African Record Centre, Lip’s Cafe, Mr.P’s Homemade Ice Cream and Passport to Little Caribbean, a 60+ page guide featuring hundreds of businesses.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our partners & contributors NYC SBS, Con Edison, Keyspan, TD Bank, The Infatuation, Flatbush Junction BID, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, New York City Tourism + Conventions, Guinness, Sorel, Uncle Waithley’s, Fever-Tree, Little Mo Wine & Spirits, Kings County Wines for making this event a resounding success.

About Little Caribbean: Established in 2017, Little Caribbean is home to the largest and most diverse Caribbean-American-LatinX community outside of the West Indies, making up 20% of New York City.  Little Caribbean is home to a thriving Caribbean community and concentration of Caribbean/Black-owned businesses that come together to share social and cultural histories and futures. From various restaurants, barbershops, beauty shops, markets and more.  Since 2010, CARIBBEING has amplified this thriving community and will continue to celebrate and commemorate the history of the Caribbean Diaspora in New York City.

About I AM CARIBBEING: A multidisciplinary venture dedicated to showcasing Caribbean culture + art + film in Greater New York City and around the world, where art + culture + lifestyle meet global Caribbean + LatinX heritage. We celebrate and amplify Caribbean culture and lifestyle, supporting businesses, creating community, and documenting as well as creating culture. Based in the Flatbush neighborhood “Little Caribbean”, we are a hub for creativity and collaboration with visionary talent and innovative brands from the Caribbean and its Diaspora.

The Winners Are…

Best Jerk: 1st- Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, 2nd- Fisherman’s Cove

Best Cocktail/Bar: 1st- The Rogers Garden, 2nd- PiCH

Best Patty: 1st- Tastee Pattee, 2nd- Immaculee Bakery

Best Cafe: 1st- Lips Cafe, 2nd- Hibiscus Brew

Best Oxtail: 1st- Caribbean Vibes, 2nd- CJ Caribbean Cuisine and Cafe

Best Roti/Doubles: 1st- Ali’s Roti Shop, 2nd- Bake and Things

Best Storefront: 1st- Hibiscus Brew, 2nd- Bamboo Walk Restaurant

Best Bakery: 1st- Allans Bakery, 2nd- Conrad’s Famous Bakery

Best Rice: 1st- Zanmi, 2nd- Ariapita

Best Ital/Juice Bar: 1st- Aunts Et Uncles, 2nd- Nostrand Health Food & Juice Bar

Best Vibes/Customer Service: 1st- The Rogers Garden, 2nd- Aunts Et Uncles

Best Ice Cream/Dessert: 1st- Taste the Tropics USA, 2nd- Scoops