Welcome to the Official Web Site for
Vernon's Jamaican Jerk Sauce Products
www.vernonsjerksauce.com
The New York Carib News
The Weekly Voice of the Caribbean-American Community
Vol. XIII No. 593
Week Ending March 1, 1994
Located at 252 West 29th Street in Manhattan, Vernon's has become the hot spot in town for a taste of the islands. Allen Vernon's Authentic Jamaican Jerk Cuisine has brought him national recognition and the unique taste of his jerk sauce inspired him to delve into the manufacturing business.
Originally, Vernon's Jerk Paradise was located on 233rd Street in the Bronx. He opened his restaurant in 1982 after realizing that there was no restaurant in New York which offered a Caribbean cuisine. "With such a great Jamaican population, I thought I'd give it a shot," recalled Vernon. "People wanted to do it, but were very frightened. So I took a chance." Good move.
In 1990, Vernon's brother took over the restaurant in the Bronx, renaming it "Vernon's Pioneer Jerk Chicken," and Vernon moved to Manhattan with hopes of tapping into the ever-growing restaurant scene there.
The response has been positive with his famous Jerk Chicken becoming a favorite among restaurant goers. Vernon is proud to have been the first to serve this delicious cuisine and points out that many imitation jerk style chicken is becoming the craze. "Most restaurants have a hot and spicy marinated chicken on their menus. Event Kentucky Fried Chicken has a new Rotisserie Gold, which is similar to jerk," he explained. "We're hoping that in the future, we can approach them and show them the proper taste of Rotisserie."
The entrepreneurial spirit has led Vernon to begin marketing his jerk sauce. With all natural ingredients, Vernon's jerk sauce has no butter or grease, and is salt and sugar-free. "It's just a natural sauce," he boasts. "At first, more health conscious people got into it, but now a lot of Jamaicans are realizing how good my sauce is."
He began bottling the sauce three years ago, but only sold it in the restaurant. Now people can get a hold of it just almost anywhere. It is sold at A&P, Food Emporium, ShopRite, Grand Union, Bloomingdale, Macy's and a host of other gourmet stores. It will also come to Associated Supermarkets soon and he hopes the sauce will grace the isles of Pathmark in the near future.
The sauce also appears on QVC Home Shopping Network, where it has received a huge response and is shipped all over the country.
To make it even easier to get a hold of, people can call 1-800-599-Jerk to place an order.
Throughout the years, Vernon's has developed quite a name for himself. He catered for the Cosby Show," "Motown Records," "Jive Records," "Arista Records," and the list goes on.
He has also been written up in a host of publications including "Success," "New York," "Black Enterprise," "Upscale," "Playboy," "Entrepreneur," "The Christian Science Monitor," to name a few. They have all praised his cuisine and listed him among the top restaurants in New York.
The New York Times' Molly O'Neal featured Vernon's a Number of times and has listed some of his recipes in her latest cookbook.
Recent, "Reader's Digest," honored four immigrants who have contributed to the country in different aspects. Vernon was the restaurateur featured, along with three men from Israel, India and Russia, all of whom are in business. "This meant a lot to me," commented Vernon as the recognition re-enforced the fact that he is well established on the New York restaurant circuit.
Many famous people have stopped by Vernon's for a taste of Jamaica. When in town, Shabba Ranks, Buju Bantom and Freddie Jackson among others, make it a point to visit the restaurant. Bill Cosby and Patti LaBelle loves his sauce and orders it for their home cooking.
So if you're ever in the mood for some really good Jamaican food be sure to stop by Vernon's Jerk Paradise. Friday nights are hot, when beginning at 7:00, there's a live Calypso and steelband. And when you can be sure to try Vernon's Original Festival? These unique sweet fried dumplings are heavenly.
