Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Bartley
Hi Ricardo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Starting from a young boy in Clarendon, Jamaica I began cooking at a tender age of 6-7 years old. My passion for creating recipes with ingredients available to me has always brought out happiness in my life. When I am in the kitchen, I find my serenity and creativity that sparks my soul.
I married my late wife Stephanie (may she rest in peace )in 2015 and arrived in America 2016. She absolutely adored my cooking and said that when we get more financially stable, we are going to build a food truck business. She passed away in a car accident six months after I came to USA. It absolutely devastated my life and shattered my dreams. But as time went on, I realized that I had to pursue them in her honor.
In 2018, my youngest son was born and I began on the path to follow these dreams. I was head chef at a Jamaican restaurant in the city of Memphis, and created their menu items, recipes, methods etc & soon realized I was not going to be compensated for my skill level and passion that I deserved. I then decided to take a leap of faith and go out on my own.
In 2019, my children’s mother (Shelby) and I started Island Paradise Takeout right out of our home. We created all the social media accounts, website, and Google listing to reach out to as many people as we could in the city of Memphis and surrounding areas. We offered delivery services as we didn’t have the food trailer yet and hustled every opportunity we could. Right before COVID hit in March 2020, we finally obtained the funds to buy the first food trailer.
We were so grateful for the timing of Gods presence on the situation and flourished throughout the COVID season, as many restaurants were shut down. We maintained and created a solid customer base that would continue to grow over the years with consistency and delicious food.
Over the years, We used social media and Facebook groups to grow our customer base and exposure in Memphis. One particular Facebook group “Where Black Memphis Eats” did a feature of the food truck and that boosted business and featured our delicious authentic food. Word of mouth is still the fastest way to spread where good food is located, but we are forever grateful for our Day Ones who supported!
Fast forward to Spring 2023, a national known food critic named “Mr. Chimetime” reviewed the Jerk Shrimp & Chicken Alfredo Pasta and it went VIRAL. With a million views on TikTok alone, Chef Ricardo’s pasta was officially on the map! We still to current times get customers who come across the viral video on TikTok and order the full of flavor dishes!
On September 14th, 2024, a tragedy occurred and a gas line burst in the truck, engulfing the whole food truck and burning it to the ground. Unfortunately I had let my liability insurance lapse, and had to navigate how to get my business back up and running asap. My friends Lenard & Bernard who owns “The Genre Memphis” (on IG is @thegenremem) helped me out by giving me two days a week to use their restaurant while my new food truck was in process.
Through God, persistence, faith, and a whole lot of prayers, I finally was able to pick up my new food trailer on 12/20/24.
I am continuing to create new recipes and dishes that are authentic but also are appealing the city of Memphis and Southern culture.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting from a young boy in Clarendon, Jamaica I began cooking at a tender age of 6-7 years old. My passion for creating recipes with ingredients available to me has always brought out happiness in my life. When I am in the kitchen, I find my serenity and creativity that sparks my soul.
I married my late wife Stephanie (may she rest in peace )in 2015 and arrived in America 2016. She absolutely adored my cooking and said that when we get more financially stable, we are going to build a food truck business. She passed away in a car accident six months after I came to USA. It absolutely devastated my life and shattered my dreams. But as time went on, I realized that I had to pursue them in her honor.
In 2018, my youngest son was born and I began on the path to follow these dreams. I was head chef at a Jamaican restaurant in the city of Memphis, and created their menu items, recipes, methods etc & soon realized I was not going to be compensated for my skill level and passion that I deserved. I then decided to take a leap of faith and go out on my own.
In 2019, my children’s mother (Shelby) and I started Island Paradise Takeout right out of our home. We created all the social media accounts, website, and Google listing to reach out to as many people as we could in the city of Memphis and surrounding areas. We offered delivery services as we didn’t have the food trailer yet and hustled every opportunity we could. Right before COVID hit in March 2020, we finally obtained the funds to buy the first food trailer.
We were so grateful for the timing of Gods presence on the situation and flourished throughout the COVID season, as many restaurants were shut down. We maintained and created a solid customer base that would continue to grow over the years with consistency and delicious food.
Over the years, We used social media and Facebook groups to grow our customer base and exposure in Memphis. One particular Facebook group “Where Black Memphis Eats” did a feature of the food truck and that boosted business and featured our delicious authentic food. Word of mouth is still the fastest way to spread where good food is located, but we are forever grateful for our Day Ones who supported!
Fast forward to Spring 2023, a national known food critic named “Mr. Chimetime” reviewed the Jerk Shrimp & Chicken Alfredo Pasta and it went VIRAL. With a million views on TikTok alone, Chef Ricardo’s pasta was officially on the map! We still to current times get customers who come across the viral video on TikTok and order the full of flavor dishes!
On September 14th, 2024, a tragedy occurred and a gas line burst in the truck, engulfing the whole food truck and burning it to the ground. Unfortunately I had let my liability insurance lapse, and had to navigate how to get my business back up and running asap. My friends Lenard & Bernard who owns “The Genre Memphis” (on IG is @thegenremem) helped me out by giving me two days a week to use their restaurant while my new food truck was in process.
Through God, persistence, faith, and a whole lot of prayers, I finally was able to pick up my new food trailer on 12/20/24.
I am continuing to create new recipes and dishes that are authentic but also are appealing the city of Memphis and Southern culture.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most proud of for no matter who serves Jamaican food in the city, I know hands down my methods and food is top tier. Every single day I serve fresh food and use all authentic Jamaican spices. I don’t cut corners when it comes to my business and pride myself on being the best.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am open to doing festivals or any collaborations with Genre Memphis. They are my top supporter and trustworthy companions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Islandparadisetakeout.com
- Instagram: @islandparadisetakeout
- Facebook: Island Paradise Takeout
- Twitter: @I_P_T901
- Other: TikTok: islandparadisetakeout901
