Photo by Bryan Burchell
[UPDATE] It is with sadness that we extend our sincere condolences to Deborah and her family. On New Year’s Eve 2016, Deborah lost her husband, business partner, and love, Bryan Burchell, after he made great strides in his recovery from a stroke earlier in the year. His recovery fund has become a memorial fund. Please consider donating as Deborah is still reeling from the shock of it all.
You never know how tough you can be. This dream chaser and community maker prides herself on being resilient and focused on achieving her goals. Deborah Lynch Burchell has created two communities – one for food bloggers and one for chefs and diners. This mother of nine, and two step-daughters, hosts dinner parties and cooking classes, and is active on social media. Meet Deborah, Trinidadian chef and business owner.
Socamom: Tell us about yourself Deborah.
Deborah: I am a Trini to the bone. I was born and raised in a small Indian village in Trinidad to a half Vincentian Mother and a father who was a real pot of callaloo, meaning he was a mixture of a lot of different races. I currently reside in New York and run my own Caribbean catering and food delivery business. I’m also a traveling chef who hosts dinner parties and cooking classes.
Socamom: What is it about being a Caribbean mom that makes you different from parents from America?
Deborah: I was very consistent with my kids, they were not allowed to sleep over at their friends’ houses a lot, and they had chores. The bed had to be made before they left the house, and no dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
Socamom: Tell us about a time that your children realized that their mom was different from other moms.
Deborah: My kids realized I was different when they had a bake sale in school and I brought pholourie with tamarind sauce to the school when all the other parents brought cupcakes, donuts, and cookies!
Socamom: Is there something about being from the Caribbean that has shaped who you are personally and or professionally?
Deborah: Being from the Caribbean has taught me to consistent and strong. I watched my parents go through some rough times. We were taught at a young age to not give up on your dreams. I was married early in life and was in an abusive marriage for many years, until I escaped and came to the USA. Life in the USA was tough at first, things got better. Then I got into another relationship where I was cheated upon for a few years, got out of it, and met my current husband. He is the best father and husband in the world. I never gave up on my dream on spreading Caribbean Culture and Cuisine to the world, it has taken me a long time, but I never gave up, and now I am really living my dream.
Socamom: How do others benefit from you being of Caribbean descent?
Photo by Bryan Burchell
Deborah: Through food. I am the one everyone comes to for anything food related, especially for the holidays.
Socamom: How do you keep your children connected to Caribbean culture?
Deborah: My kids are connected to the Caribbean culture through food and music.
Socamom: What is your favorite Caribbean Mom Quote?
Deborah: “Dogs don’t make cats,” which means that your children are a lot like you.
Socamom: What are your favorite 3 Caribbean dishes? Do your kids like them?
Deborah: Rice with dhal (yellow split peas) spinach cooked with salt-fish (salted codfish) and curry goat. My kids love all Caribbean dishes.
Photo by Bryan Burchell
Socamom: If you could move to any Caribbean country, which one would you move to and why?
Deborah: I would move back to Trinidad. I’m actually thinking about that. It’s the island of my birth, and I still have family there.
Keep up with Deborah and all of her foodie adventures on her websites and on social media:
Blog (about Caribbean cuisine with some southern flair) – http://www.simplycaribbean.net
Chef and Diner Community (a diner can hire a personal chef to come to their home and prepare and amazing dinner) – http://www.decentdinners.com
Blogger Community (bloggers can submit recipes and articles) – http://www.realcaribbeanfoods.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCaribbean/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/SimplyCaribb
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simplycaribbean1/
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/simplycaribbean/
Google + – https://plus.google.com/+DBurchellTriniSoulCooks
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/TriniSoulCooking
