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As a first-generation Jamaican American, Devonn Francis has always seen food as a way to build community—a value rooted in his childhood, which was spent surrounded by his family and their shared love of cooking.
Francis, who is the chef and artist behind Yardy, explains that when he’s cooking and hosting, he factors in “the flavors, the way things look, and the smells and the sensations that come with it.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s specific to the Caribbean, but I think there’s 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,” Francis explains.
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.
“My lens on cooking starts with my family and then goes into kitchens,” Francis says. “Everything I do starts with where my family comes from—it’s a point of pride for me—making really delicious things in general and feeling proud of what you are presenting to someone.”
Through Yardy, he’s put together special events with bespoke menus that speak to his heritage—and when I spoke with him about his collaboration with The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, Francis’s 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’s launch.
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.
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.
Elevated staples
“I’m a Southern boy too—by way of my Jamaican parents—but I’m from Virginia,” Francis says. “I could not show up to someone’s home empty-handed, so even if I’m out and 30 minutes away from the local wherever I am, I’m gonna go triangulate and find something to bring.”
While Francis obviously says his current go-to is the 12-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’re looking for the perfect spice to gift, he has a recommendation.
“I really like allspice, and I’ve really been using it a lot,” Francis says. “I like to toast it, and it’s one of the things that makes jerk chicken. In Jamaica, we call all spice pimento—and also if you get the pimento wood chips, it’s smoky, it’s spicy, and it’s just…it’s just a really beautiful aroma—it reminds me of home.”
Amazing glassware is key
One way that Francis likes to make his table feel special is to make sure he’s invested in glassware that’s as beautiful as it is interesting to look at.
“Growing up, my mom collected crystal glassware, and it was in all these different shapes and sizes and textures—and she makes fun of me because I would sit down at the table and just stare at the glassware,” Francis explains. Naturally, he had to find ways to incorporate stunning pieces into his own home.
“I have to shout out Sophie Lou Jacobsen because her work is just beautiful,” says Francis. “I love when a designer takes something and just puts the most delicate and beautiful details into it—it elevates the experience—you can put water in it, and it’s going to make it taste that much better.”
Make cleaning easier on yourself
Unfortunately, when it comes to hosting events, there’s also the cleanup to anticipate. Francis has a suggestion gleaned from professional kitchens: a bench scraper.
“Depending on the job, I’ll occasionally use a rubber one, but I think the metal ones are nice because they allow you to wipe and go,” Francis says. “They also don’t stain like the rubber or silicone ones do.”
His next necessity may already be in your kitchen, but if it isn’t, it’s time to invest.
“I know it’s so boring, but you need a wire rack—it’s so versatile, like I don’t think people understand that,” Francis says. “Airflow, when it comes to cleaning and bringing things to temp, is really important, and a wire rack to allow things to drip-dry—whether that be like doing a glaze on a cake or trying to baste a roast or a perfect piece of chicken—is nice because it’s cleaner and allows for more precision in the kitchen.”
Stay organized
According to Francis, the best way to combat any anxiety around cleaning up is to stay organized from the very start. “I think blue painter’s tape is really important—everything has to be labeled in the pantry,” he says. “That’s my version of a label maker.”