Cooking Up a Dream

Currently residing in Buffalo, New York, 31-year-old chef Darian Bryan’s Jamaican-inspired cooking has been featured on the Food Network, ESPN, CBS News, and the Jamaican Observer. From humble beginnings to home-cooked meals for NFL players, Bryan’s journey in cuisine is a shining example of how hard work and a hunger for success can turn a passion into a full-time career.

Originally from a small town in rural Jamaica, Bryan was raised in an impoverished community. His home had no electricity or running water, and it was common for the region to experience hurricanes in the fall season. During one particularly rough storm, all of the family’s livestock perished. While Bryan’s family was able to dry their belongings, they had to sleep on wet beds. However, his family and neighbors found great comfort in cooking dishes like curry chicken for each other.

Bryan soon realized the power food had to bring people together. His culinary journey began at age 12 as he helped his mother cook every day for her takeout restaurant. This was the catalyst that sparked his passion for cooking. Three years later, Bryan’s mom gave him the keys to the shop, leaving him in charge. Here, he learned to make the local Jamaican cuisine that would forever influence his culinary art.

Bryan moved to the United States at 20 and landed in Buffalo, New York. Besides Buffalo’s freezing temperatures, one of the biggest differences Bryan noted compared to back home was that he no longer had to hunt for food. Instead, it was right at his fingertips at grocery stores. Soon after arriving, he enrolled at Erie Community College in Buffalo for culinary arts and worked as a cook at Denny’s. Here, he learned the ins and outs of American cuisine, which was completely new to him. Bryan would diligently practice his techniques outside of work, and after two years, he was promoted to manager at Denny’s. Determined to continue his culinary education, Bryan went to Buffalo State University and graduated with a degree in hospitality in 2017.

With a degree under his belt, Bryan became the head chef at Prima Café in Hamburg, New York. Unfortunately, Bryan never quite felt like he fit in, as he rarely ran into other Blacks, who only made up one percent of Hamburg’s population.

After working at Prima Café for two years, a Black man walked into the restaurant for the first time during Bryan’s employment. Bryan struck up a conversation with the man. The following day, the man returned and asked who the head chef was. After Bryan explained he was in charge, the man revealed himself as Vontae Davis, the former Buffalo Bills cornerback, and offered Bryan a job as his personal chef. Although Davis soon retired from the NFL, he hired chef Bryan to cook a six-course meal at a New Year’s event that hosted 30 players from the Bills team. Bryan’s cooking was so well received that multiple players reached out to him afterward, requesting Bryan be their personal chef. Now, he cooks for several Bills players, including center Mitch Morse, running back Taiwan Jones, and wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins.

In addition to crafting homemade meals for Bills players, Bryan’s skills in the kitchen expand to other culinary endeavors. He’s the proud owner of his own boutique, The Plating Society, which serves up a luxurious dining experience. Bryan also owns Bratts Hill, a sit-down restaurant that serves authentic fast-casual Jamaican lunches and upscale Jamaican fusion dishes, where Bryan blends fine dining with the flavors of his homeland. Using bold flavors is essential when crafting recipes such as his signature jerk chicken and coconut curry halibut. Bryan also understands the importance of presentation, as people not only eat with their mouths but also their eyes. The secret that makes his cooking so sought after lies in his passion for food.

Bryan emphasizes several points for those looking to cook more at home. It’s important to stay patient during the entire process. Cooking a meal isn’t a race but rather an art that takes practice to perfect. Another key point is staying organized, which makes the cooking process more enjoyable. Additionally, investing in quality cookware will ensure that the tools last. The most important factor Bryan emphasizes is getting everyone involved when cooking. He encourages anyone interested in learning how to cook to reach out to him on Instagram @chefdarianbryan for a copy of his e-cookbook.