When new patrons visit JBR, one of the first things they ask is, “Is the cook Jamaican?” JBR wouldn’t have it any other way! And Chef Alfred Blake, fondly nicknamed Freddie, is as Jamaican as can be!

Born the 7^th child of 9 in the “country” at St. Elizabeth Parish, his passion to cook started at home at an early age of 6. Mommy Blake oftentimes recruited the kids for help in the kitchen. What felt like a chore for the siblings was an absolute joy for Freddie. Basic Jamaican backyard-grown spices and herbs like thyme, scallions, pimento, ginger, and turmeric piqued Freddie’s creativity for cooking. He eagerly learned by watching and having a taste test each time an ingredient was added while creating a dish. Mommy Blake took immediate notice of Freddie’s enjoyment in cooking that she eventually allowed him to take charge of the kitchen. He recalls his excitement learning different ways of cooking (frying, boiling, grilling, steaming) … but he was especially drawn to “playing with fire”! Even today, we see that when he cooks-to-order seafood at JBR!

Fast forward and dubbed the “key ingredient” in the mega-success of a family-owned Jamaican Restaurant in Northern Virginia, Freddie decided to team up with the Keeys Brothers Enterprise, all who literally built and operated the Northern Virginia family-owned restaurant from the ground up. Once again, their entrepreneurial spirit guided them to open another restaurant. Why, you ask? Their response: Why not?! Yuh nuh easy!

Their love for their homeland culture – the people, the music, and the food – is their driving force. And Epiq Food Hall is most definitely the idyllic location for lovers-of-all-things-Jamaican! A place where people can gather, get entertained (live Reggae and Jamaican-inspired music is periodically scheduled… and they have Jamaican board games!), and taste the ultimate, epiq-ly authentic Jamaican food!

BIG UP and RESPECT to all the patrons who have been supporting JBR since our soft launch. The official opening was on Sunday, August 6^th, marking the 61^st anniversary of Jamaican Independence Day.