Two Sisters: Elevating Jamaican Dining

Escape the typical resort experience and venture into the serene hills of St. Ann, Jamaica, where a new culinary chapter is unfolding. Chefs Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau, renowned for their creative partnership and deep connection to West Indian culture, have launched “Two Sisters Culinary Experiences,” offering an intimate and elevated taste of Jamaica.

A Journey Rooted in Heritage

The Rousseau sisters’ journey is deeply intertwined with their West Indian heritage. Born in Jamaica and spending formative years in Trinidad during the 1970s, they developed a profound appreciation for a shared Caribbean identity that extends beyond their Jamaican roots. This upbringing, filled with travel and exploration across the islands, laid the foundation for their future endeavors.

After completing their university education in Canada, where they continued to engage with West Indian culture through student organizations, both sisters returned to Jamaica. In the 1990s, fueled by youthful ambition and a bank loan, they embarked on their entrepreneurial path by opening a boutique selling luxury apparel. This initial success paved the way for their expansion into the culinary world.

From Boutique to Burners: The Culinary Evolution

Their foray into food began with a cafe, initially conceived as a family venture. When a family member withdrew, Michelle and Suzanne were encouraged by their mother to pursue the coffee shop idea themselves. The cafe quickly became a local sensation, attracting residents, expats, and tourists alike. This success ignited their passion for creating elevated environments that celebrate West Indian culture.

“Our understanding and love of our region has very much informed a desire to create environments that celebrate that in a more elevated, more feminine way,” Suzanne shared. They realized that their love for culture, history, and the region provided a rich tapestry from which to draw inspiration, with food serving as a central connecting piece.

The Two Sisters Culinary Experience: Hearth, Heritage, and Heart

Two Sisters Culinary Experiences offers guests an intimate glimpse into the sisters’ island home. The setting at Rockfield Estate is elegant yet unpretentious, deeply rooted in community and history. Michelle and Suzanne’s ability to seamlessly blend their roles as chefs and hostesses creates a welcoming atmosphere that feels like a cherished homecoming.

They offer distinct dining experiences. The “Hearth-to-Table” dining option features a live-fire sunset meal in the estate’s backyard, where the sisters prepare their signature dishes. For daytime visitors, “The Harvest Brunch” offers a lighter, more pastoral menu with a South of France beach club vibe, featuring fresh salads, galettes, quiches, and grilled meats, often paired with rosé or mimosas.

Family-style meals cater to various dietary needs, highlighting the versatility of Jamaican cuisine. Beyond dining, they also offer a “Rum Tasting of the Caribbean” experience, curated by the sisters themselves, sharing their favorite rums and insights gained from over 30 years of professional and personal experience in the region.

Reshaping Perceptions of Jamaican Cuisine

The launch of Two Sisters signifies a shift in Jamaican tourism, moving beyond traditional resort experiences to embrace authentic cultural and creative expressions. The sisters aim to challenge narrow perceptions of Jamaican cuisine, which often focus solely on staples like oxtail or stewed chicken. They strive to showcase the wide variety of local ingredients and present them in modern, accessible ways.

“Our job is to present it, translate it, and use the ingredients in ways that give people a different understanding or appreciation of them,” Suzanne explains. “Our recipes bring together and elevate the ingredients and present them in new ways.”