Who is your greatest inspiration and
why? What tips would you give to young
Jamaican entrepreneurs?
I wouldn’t say that there is someone I find
awe-inspiring. However, I am motivated by
my parents. They’ve provided me with all I
need to be successful and are always there
when I need them. Have a skill. Your skill forms the foundation of
your business. For instance, you’ll put
yourself at a disadvantage if you attempt to
open a restaurant and can’t cook.
Never abandon your business. Be there most
days in the week. It’s tempting to reduce the
amount of time you spend there when the
business is doing well. Nevertheless, the
only way that it will continue to do well is if
you make a deliberate effort to be present.
Be open to change. I expanded because
customers were demanding a menu with
What you see here is an amalgamation of the
efforts of everyone in my immediate family.
My brother did the woodwork, my dad the
construction and my mom did the décor.
If you could describe your business in
one word, what would that be and why?
Chic. Everything from the decor to the menu
is chic. It’s neither too complex nor too
simple.
If you were to visit anywhere in the
world, where would you go and why?
I want to go on a culinary adventure where I
can experience the authentic food of
different cultures across the world. Some of
the places I’d like to visit include:
France
Greece
Japan
Singapore
China
Italy
New Orleans
Australia
Africa
ISSUE:4 APRIL 2019
more variety.. This meant that I needed a
bigger kitchen with larger stations and
ultimately more space for a more efficient
flow of service.
Experience really does teach wisdom. It’s not
always about getting an education in the
classroom; it’s about getting experience.
Hands-on training and experience are what
gets you places in the restaurant industry.
Where can we find Voilá by Lilee and
do you offer other services besides
restaurant dining?
We’re located at the Knutsford Express
building on Caledonia Road in Mandeville. I
also accept custom orders for cake baking
and decorating. Follow our Instagram page
@voilabylilee to learn more.
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