November 7th 2023.
Lacey Williams, the founder of NyamnzMV, is an up-and-coming chef in Martha's Vineyard. She provides a unique dining experience that builds and shares resources with the community.
A self-proclaimed food connoisseur, Chef Lacey is a talented culinary creator. When the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown happened, it gave her the opportunity to indulge in her passion for cooking. She binge-watched cooking shows and thought of becoming a food critic, but wondered whether she had the chops since she wasn't well-known. She asked herself, “How do I let people know that my opinion about food is valuable if they haven’t tasted my food?”
That question and the pandemic were the seeds that the Jamaican-born chef needed to jump-start her dream. She spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about how she began as a one-woman operation and has steadily scaled up with the help of her community over the years.
During the shutdown, the need for delivery options sparked the idea of a personal chef experience. She offered her services to a hospital with over 200 people, which no longer had access to a cafeteria. She wanted to give her customers an experience that looks and feels like a restaurant when they open the takeout box.
Starting with individual deliveries, Chef Lacey noticed the excitement for her dishes. She soon expanded to catering private events in Martha's Vineyard. When asked how she initially made the leap with little capital and big dreams, she attributed it to the tight-knit community of the island. Wealth, luxury, and affluence are abundant, but the insular nature also breeds community among those who don't live in the lap of luxury. It was through this community that Chef Lacey found helping hands and support for her venture.
It was also a Facebook post that helped elevate her business. On a private page, someone posted about their amazing meal from her with a story of her culture. It got 200 comments and people rushed to her website to schedule.
The proud Jamaican also imparts her patria’s rich history of cooking techniques and ingredients to give her customers an experience that will leave them enriched and satisfied on all levels. Nyamnz, which is Jamaican Patois for “to eat,” is the gathering of everyone together to eat.
Chef Lacey stays booked and busy during Martha's Vineyard busiest time, which is from July to October. Her goal is to level up her brand and business even more. She plans to craft a private traveling dining experience with private dining, cooking classes, or paint-n-sips. She’ll be bringing her delicious food and culture to a city near you soon.
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