Plantation Smokehouse celebrates fifth anniversary this Valentine’s Day
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 10:03 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Valentine’s Day is almost here, and couples are cordially invited on February 14 to celebrate Plantation Smokehouse’s fifth anniversary with an exquisite taste of authentic island flavour.
Located in Richmond, Priory, in the parish of St Ann, Plantation Smokehouse began its beautiful love affair with foodies on Valentine’s Day in 2020. “It’s the day of love, and we wanted to capitalise on the attention that this special day brings. It was also our hope to treat couples as well as lovers at heart to a wide array of fantastic flavours,” owner Alwyn Brown told Food.
The star-studded line-up for Friday features a variety of meats, which, as the name suggests, are smoked to perfection. Known for staple menu items such as barbecued ribs, pork chops, steaks, jerk chicken, curried goat and creamy shrimp pasta, it has gained popularity over the years.
Standing out in the taste department, the ambience also takes the spotlight. “Our setup is different. I’m probably one of the first persons to put a stage in the middle of the space. I got the idea through travelling, and I wanted to bring that to my hometown. So now, we are famous for mixing entertainment with a dining experience. ” he shared.
Brown, who is also the proud owner of Sharkies Seafood Restaurant in the parish, revealed that it was there that he got his big break and fell in love with the industry. From there, he broadened his horizons to Plantation Smokehouse. Along the way, the food entrepreneur has bridged the gap for customers, bringing the great taste of Plantation Smokehouse to Di Lot in Kingston.
Being in the food industry for half of a decade, according to the restaurateur, has taught him resilience. Weathering the storms of the global pandemic was no easy feat. “You have to create strategies to stay in the business because there is a lot of competition out there,” he said, adding, “People are picky when it comes to food. And they will spend their money when they feel like it’s worth it. So you have to find ways to make the business interesting and put in the work to ensure that the customers are returning.”
Despite the challenges of the rip tides, Plantation Smokehouse continues to make waves and persevere, sharing love with each savoury dish.
Its five-year celebration isn’t limited to gastronomic fanfare. “For this year, Richie Spice will be providing the entertainment for the night. And I think that will be the icing on the cake.” Outside of this lovely occasion, Plantation Smokehouse has a live band perform every Friday night as well as other special concerts.
“If tomorrow is your first time visiting, you can expect good food, good vibes, and good entertainment. We have many photo opportunities around the property. It’s a good experience,” he added.