As a first-generation Jamaican American, Devonn Francis has always seen food as a way to build community\u2014a value rooted in his childhood, which was spent surrounded by his family and their shared love of cooking.<\/p>\n
Francis, who is the chef and artist behind Yardy, explains that when he\u2019s cooking and hosting, he factors in \u201cthe flavors, the way things look, and the smells and the sensations that come with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s specific to the Caribbean, but I think there\u2019s a very Caribbean tone and candor when it comes to hosting that I have definitely adopted in all of my work and everything that I do,\u201d Francis explains.<\/p>\n
Having grown up in Virginia, Francis explains that he sees cooking for someone as being synonymous with inviting them into your home. And as he has shown with his experiential and art-filled pop-ups with Yardy, for Francis, his home is both beautifully unique and welcoming to all.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lens on cooking starts with my family and then goes into kitchens,\u201d Francis says. \u201cEverything I do starts with where my family comes from\u2014it\u2019s a point of pride for me\u2014making really delicious things in general and feeling proud of what you are presenting to someone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through Yardy, he\u2019s put together special events with bespoke menus that speak to his heritage\u2014and when I spoke with him about his collaboration with The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, Francis\u2019s unique touch was immediately visible. The brand launched its 12-Year-Old Jamaica Edition, which features notes of mango, pineapple, and coconut, and Francis was the perfect choice when it came to curating an accompanying menu for the liquid\u2019s launch.<\/p>\n
Throughout the evening, guests noshed on catfish nuggets, lamb kabobs with curry vinaigrette, and, my personal favorite, a doughnut with a halva and whisky caramel glaze. Every single menu item showcased the versatility of Caribbean flavors and highlighted the tasting notes of the whisky.<\/p>\n
In keeping with his long-held tradition of embracing both food and family when hosting guests, Francis shared his favorite hosting gifts and his favorite ways to make your home feel special.<\/p>\n
![\"Devonn](\"https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/690e22566b0f1db0f89a9f49\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/DEVONN%25205.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\nCourtesy of The Glenlivet<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n Courtesy of The Glenlivet<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Jamaica Edition<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Cerez Pazari Whole Allspice<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI\u2019m a Southern boy too\u2014by way of my Jamaican parents\u2014but I\u2019m from Virginia,\u201d Francis says. \u201cI could not show up to someone\u2019s home empty-handed, so even if I\u2019m out and 30 minutes away from the local wherever I am, I\u2019m gonna go triangulate and find something to bring.\u201d<\/p>\n While Francis obviously says his current go-to is the\u00a012-Year-Old Jamaica Edition Whisky, he also loves to incorporate elevated staples in the form of nice spices, coffee beans, or tea, olive oil, or a nice flaky salt. And if you\u2019re looking for the perfect spice to gift, he has a recommendation.<\/p>\n \u201cI really like allspice, and I\u2019ve really been using it a lot,\u201d Francis says. \u201cI like to toast it, and it\u2019s one of the things that makes jerk chicken. In Jamaica, we call all spice pimento\u2014and also if you get the pimento wood chips, it\u2019s smoky, it\u2019s spicy, and it\u2019s just\u2026it\u2019s just a really beautiful aroma\u2014it reminds me of home.\u201d<\/p>\n Sophie Lou Jacobsen Coco Set of Two Glass Egg Cups<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sophie Lou Jacobsen Fritter Tumbler Set<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One way that Francis likes to make his table feel special is to make sure he\u2019s invested in glassware that\u2019s as beautiful as it is interesting to look at.<\/p>\n \u201cGrowing up, my mom collected crystal glassware, and it was in all these different shapes and sizes and textures\u2014and she makes fun of me because I would sit down at the table and just stare at the glassware,\u201d Francis explains. Naturally, he had to find ways to incorporate stunning pieces into his own home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Devonn](\"https:\/\/assets.bonappetit.com\/photos\/690e2255d0be43eb7da7976c\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/TheGlenlivet_JamaicaEdition-06265.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\nElevated staples<\/h2>\n
Amazing glassware is key<\/h2>\n