When Chef Jenese Adams spotted her signature spice blends on the shelves of select Walmart stores this May, she was overcome with emotion — pride, gratitude, and the unshakable belief that dreams do come true. A daughter of Fitz Hughes and Chateaubelair in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Adams has cooked her way from childhood curiosity to Caribbean culinary trailblazer, now poised to bring the bold, beloved flavors of the islands to kitchens across America.
Her journey began in the rustic warmth of her community, where the aroma of seasoned pots told stories and sparked inspiration. “I always used to guess what the neighbors were cooking. It was like a game, but it made me curious about flavor,” she told ANN.
It was a Food & Nutrition teacher at Saint Joseph Convent Marriaqua who recognized her early promise and encouraged her to explore her talents. Adams went on to win the National Inter-School Food & Nutrition Quiz and later the Regional Caribbean Food & Nutrition Contest — cementing her love for the culinary arts.
“At every family event, I was the one in the kitchen,” she told ANN. “I found joy in it — in making people smile with food, in trying new things, in pushing myself.”
At 18, she enrolled at the New England Culinary Institute’s campus in the British Virgin Islands, graduating with a Culinary Arts degree and gaining invaluable experience at top BVI restaurants like Peter Island Resort, Bitter End Yacht Club, and Treasure Isle Hotel. Her leadership qualities quickly emerged, and she eventually became kitchen manager at the HLSCC cafeteria.
In 2012, Adams launched K-Jnyce Catering Services, catering to high-end clients including the BVI Governor and various celebrities. Her dishes were elegant yet deeply rooted in Caribbean authenticity. She told ANN that her catering service allowed her to share culture through flavor, offering guests “a taste of the islands with every bite.”
But her journey took an unexpected turn in 2017. Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the BVI, forcing Adams and her family to relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina. There, she picked up the pieces — working at Ballantyne Resort as a banquet sous chef and then as kitchen manager at LeafSpring School. Even amid upheaval, opportunity called. Adams was handpicked to cater the VIP section of Buju Banton’s “Long Walk to Freedom” tour in the BVI — serving Buju himself, Koffee, and others. “It was a career highlight — exhausting but so rewarding,” she told ANN.
In 2021, she rebranded her culinary vision under Chef Jen Cuisine — offering personal chef services, catering, and online cooking classes. But after becoming a mother, Adams had to briefly pause her business — a period she now sees as preparation. “Motherhood gave me time to reflect on what legacy I wanted to leave,” she told ANN.
That reflection birthed Jenesis, launched in December 2022. “Jenesis is more than a brand — it’s the beginning of something divine,” she told ANN.
She introduced her line with the world’s first dried Caribbean Green Seasoning, a revolutionary take on a beloved island staple. Soon came Vincy Spice Curry, All-Purpose Caribbean Blend, Lemongrass & Ginger, and Smoky Paprika Jerk — all-natural, vegan, gluten- and nut-free.
Jenesis also offers lifestyle products like coconut bowl candles, custom aprons, cutting boards, and tote bags — combining flavor and culture in one lifestyle brand.
In October 2023, Adams was selected to pitch her product during the Walmart Open Call — and her presentation impressed the buyers. “They told me my product was innovative, and there was a growing demand for Caribbean flavors in the U.S.,” she told ANN. She walked away with a Golden Ticket — a deal to stock her products in Walmart stores.
After a year of backend preparation, two of her spice blends hit Walmart shelves on May 19, 2024. “To see something I created in that space… I had tears in my eyes,” she told ANN.
Today, her CJC spice blends are helping home cooks recreate authentic Caribbean meals with ease, while showcasing the rich culinary traditions of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Her mission remains clear: “To serve, inspire, and motivate through food and food services. Using my gift of cooking, my faith, and my testimony to bless others,” she told ANN.
As for her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Write the vision. Make it plain. Don’t wait to have everything perfect — just start,” she told ANN. “You’ll hear no’s, but let them fuel you. Surround yourself with people who see your vision. Stay focused, pray, and believe. Your destiny helpers will come.”
From a curious little girl in Fitz Hughes to a culinary pioneer on Walmart shelves, Chef Jenese Adams is proving that the flavor of determination is always in season.
