It was Victor Frankl who said, “You don’t create your mission in life; you (simply) detect it”. Garcia’s mission was not apparent to him until he unknowingly began my culinary journey as an apprentice at the Hilton Kingston hotel in the year 2001. This was the beginning of a journey that would be as challenging as it is rewarding.
Although his beginnings were humble, it was this that mentally prepared Executive Chef Garcia Brown for the uphill journey that was ahead. It was the driving force behind his excelling at the HEART Trust training institute, where he received an award for being ‘the most outstanding food preparation student’.
Since then, his journey has taken him to the renowned Ritz Carlton Golf and Spa where he served in the capacity of Bartender/ Waiter. This phase of the journey taught him significant life lessons such as the importance of discipline, punctuality, and teamwork.
Garcia went on to complete the Pro-chef course at levels I, II, and III at the Culinary Institute of America/ HEART. Chef Brown is currently employed as the personal Chef to the Brazilian Ambassador to Jamaica.
He has been inspired by renowned Chef and Michelin Star holder, Chef Thomas Keller – who he says has taught him to treat it like it is his and one day it will be. As such, Chef Brown takes great pride in his cooking and his life goal is to take Jamaican cuisine to a first-world level, to be an entrepreneur and a certified master chef.
Highlighted Foods
Accolades
- 2011 Taste of Jamaica: Chef of the year – Gold Medal Award
- 2012 Taste of Jamaica: Best use of Beef & Pastry Chef of the Year – Silver Medal Award
- 2012 Taste of the Caribbean (Team bronze and personal silver medal)
