Bahamian Pride On A Plate All the Way In Little Rock, Arkansas

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

ARKANSAS, UNITED STATES – Danielle Johnson, also known as Danny Beez is using food and faith to put The Bahamas on the map, one jerk quesadilla at a time.

Danielle Johnson – Chef, The Jerk Palace

“It all started with the love for my grandma though, being dragged inside of the kitchen, and the love of me cooking really comes from me missing her. Every time I cook, it’s like I feel like she’s right there on my shoulder….”

Raised in The Bahamas with deep family roots in Exuma and Nassau,
Danny Beez says losing her grandmother pushed her to take her passion seriously.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the hospitality industry, she made a bold move -
leaving home with two duffel bags and a dream.

Danielle Johnson – Chef, The Jerk Palace

“I saved five thousand dollars, pack my whole life up into two duffel bags, took that leap. I went over there, I bought me a car. Now I got two thousand left, and then I had to go hit the streets. Yeah, working, working, working, hustling.”

From selling food out of her house
to building a food truck with her own hands, Danny Beez turned hustle into a brand.

Beez made sure everyone knew where she came from.

Danielle Johnson – Chef, The Jerk Palace

“Everyone knows that I’m a Bahamian, okay? I have my Bahamian flag all over the food truck, letting y’all know that we’re the first Bahamian catering company and food truck down here, putting it on the map.”

Johnson did the hard work, and social media did the rest with one video – a jerk chicken quesadilla going viral on TikTok.

Danielle Johnson – Chef, The Jerk Palace

“My phone ring all day. You got the quesadillas? I’m the quesadilla girl.”

Now her menu revolves around it.

However, for Danny Beez, this is bigger than social media views.

Danielle Johnson – Chef, The Jerk Palace

“I just really want to just put something on the shelf for us, I want people to know that The Bahamas is here. We’re not only a beautiful vacation spot, we’re deep-rooted, and we actually have talented, passionate individuals over here.”

From her grandmother’s kitchen to a viral food movement,
Danny B’s recipe is simple – passion, persistence, and a whole lot of Bahamian pride.