I know a lil’ sumting about fine dining and the hospitality industry. So James Beard Foundation honoring A&A Doubles is major!
Having worked at a 3-star Michelin, formerly #1 restaurant in the world, and even having myself featured on Netflix (see 7 Days Out, episode 2 – “Eleven Madison Park“), plus my JayBlessedEats Instagram page, it’s safe to say that I am a foodie and my opinion comes with experience.
Yet, you can put the finest of restaurants in front of my face but there is no better comfort food than food from home.
So it brings me joy to congratulate THE ONLY PLACE I buy my doubles – A&A’s Bake & Doubles and Roti Shop!
As an avid supporter of the Trinidadian fast food take-out restaurant that has since moved from it’s tiny Nostrand Avenue shop (that saw lines around the corner on Saturday mornings) to a larger eat-in Fulton Street establishment, it thrills me to know that our Trinidadian and Caribbean cuisine is being recognized by one of the world’s most respected culinary awards – James Beard Foundation Awards.
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The James Beard Foundation Awards is sometimes referred to as the “Oscars” of the food world. But before the build up towards the main event with the most famous categories, the JBF awards their annual “America’s Classics” to five restaurants that have served great food and service to their communities for more than 10 years.
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“In an industry where longevity is quite an achievement, it is important to honor and celebrate the establishments that have stood the test of time, like the restaurants being recognized as America’s Classics this year,” said JBF CEO Clare Reichenbach in a statement. “These restaurants provide not only wonderful culinary experiences, but are important and enduring pillars in their communities.”
According to F&W, “Every year, the James Beard Foundation names five restaurants from across the country to honor as “American Classics,” with over 100 restaurants receiving the award since the category was first introduced in 1998. On Friday, the foundation finished announcing all of this year’s winners after a week-long rollout: Pho 79(Garden Grove, CA), Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House (Huntington, WV), A&A Bake & Double and Roti Shop (Brooklyn, NY), Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café (McCook, NE), and Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse (Washington, D.C.).”
A&A’s classic doubles. (Photo: Website)
A&A’s is beyond deserving of this prestigious honor. Congrats to owners, Noel and Geeta Brown, their staff and everyone that supports their business. Their fulling yet cheap eats is not only classic to their Bed-Stuy neighborhood, but worthy enough to be called an “American Classic.”
This award does a great service by highlighting Caribbean take-out restaurants, which are often overlooked as major contributors to the culinary world -especially the Caribbean cooks, who often teach major chefs their authentic cuisines – which are sometimes credited and respected, but most times ripped, fused, or just Columbus-ed into something else other than it’s authentic presentation.
Goes to show that we need to keep supporting our own because everything Caribbean is popping! The world knows! So preserve your culture and be proud of your heritage!
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