Combining her love for Caribbean flavours and a passion for cooking, chef Kareema Beckles opened Chef Kareema Caribbean Fusion in December 2020 on Dundas Street East.
Chef Kareema’s is a Caribbean-fusion restaurant that puts a spin on classic dishes with a menu that rotates on a weekly basis. Although the dishes change frequently, certain flavours unique to the Caribbean always remain and make their way into the dishes.
Recently, Chef Kareema began offering a series of walk-in specials, including Roti Tuesdays and Wings & Festivals Wednesdays, with additional dishes being released throughout the summer.
Menu highlights include the Caribbean gourmet spring rolls made with ackee and saltfish, curry goat, callaloo and pumpkin, pepper shrimp and more, as well as Chef Kareema’s famously delicious jerk chicken lasagna and barbecued ribs served with a heap of garlic mashed potatoes and buttery cornbread.
“The inspiration comes from my love of Caribbean and West Indian culture,” Beckles says. “I am first generation Canadian to Trinidadian parents and my maternal grandmother is from Barbados. I grew up around people from other parts of the Caribbean, as well as foods of different countries and cultures. I infuse them with other foods that I love, and magic happens.”
Having opened right before the onset of the pandemic, Beckles notes that her first year of business was not without its share of hardships.
“These past few months have been challenging with a lot of ups and downs, but gratefully more ups,” Beckles says. “It hasn’t stopped us from continuing to push through.”
203 Dundas St. E.