Binghamton University's campus has been infused with a taste of the Caribbean with the debut of the Caribbean Connection food truck. Chef Cheya Brown, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, has crafted a menu that showcases traditional Caribbean dishes with her unique twist. Students can expect an explosion of flavors with jerk chicken wings, rice and beans, cassava fries, plantain nachos, and beef patties, all complemented by house-made sauces like hibiscus and habanero hot sauce and a Cuban-inspired mojo dipping sauce.
For Brown, the food truck is a return to campus after completing an externship with Binghamton University Dining Services (BUDS) last spring. That experience provided her with invaluable mentorship and the opportunity to serve thousands of people. Now, she's leading the Caribbean Connection, building on her pop-up concept from the externship to bring authentic Caribbean cuisine to a wider campus audience.
Brown's passion for cooking stems from her grandmother's influence. She learned the importance of infusing love, time, and patience into each dish, a philosophy that is deeply rooted in Caribbean food. Immigrating from Jamaica, Brown is determined to share the flavors of her homeland with Binghamton's Caribbean student population and introduce the broader campus community to the delights of Caribbean cuisine.
The food truck will tantalize taste buds with its regular "Island Feature of the Week," showcasing dishes from various Caribbean islands, ensuring a diverse and dynamic culinary experience for the campus community.
The Caribbean Connection is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the BUDS website for the truck's weekly schedule and prepare to embark on a culinary journey to the Caribbean without leaving campus.