Aliyah Huey, co-owner of Continent Brooklyn, stands contained in the eating room of the Caribbean-inspired restaurant situated inside the Indigo Lodge in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Photograph by Flo Ngala
Continent Brooklyn, situated inside the Indigo Hotel, presents greater than only a eating expertise; it celebrates Caribbean tradition, culinary innovation, and visionary management in hospitality.
Aliya Huey, a seasoned hospitality skilled with over 20 years of expertise at a few of New York Metropolis’s most esteemed institutions, is main the enterprise. Born in the USA and raised in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Huey returned to the U.S. in 2001. Her distinguished profession consists of roles at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Membership, P. Diddy’s former restaurant and lounge, Justin’s, and administration positions at outstanding boutique accommodations corresponding to 60 Thompson and the Tillery in Brooklyn.
Huey’s journey is particularly vital given the broader context of restaurant possession in the USA, the place fewer than 8 % of institutions are Black-owned and fewer than one-third of 1 % are owned by Black ladies. Her success displays a notable breakthrough in an business lengthy characterised by underrepresentation.
“There aren’t many ladies with a Caribbean background thriving in resort hospitality,” Huey acknowledges. “So each breakthrough — {a magazine} point out, an influencer go to — we cherish.”
At the moment, Huey leads three distinct venues inside the Indigo Lodge: Continent Brooklyn, which showcases elevated Caribbean delicacies; Aliyah, a refined rooftop cocktail lounge; and Hold Sipping, a street-level café serving resort company and the area people. Moreover, her workforce manages room service for 187 resort rooms, supplies full-scale catering, and oversees a ten,000-square-foot occasion area.
Together with her enterprise associate, Govt Chef Scotley Innis, Huey’s management helps a workforce exceeding 60 workers, serving an increasing buyer base. Their flagship location in Atlanta, Continent ATL, continues to thrive, additional establishing its fame for excellence.
“When Caribbean of us are available in and say they really feel happy with what we’ve finished — that’s the very best feeling. They really feel seen. They really feel at dwelling.”
Continent Brooklyn’s Sunday brunch epitomizes the institution’s dedication to a particular eating expertise. The ambiance is fastidiously curated, mixing pure mild and Caribbean rhythms with attentive service and progressive dishes that spotlight the richness of Caribbean flavors. The menu displays a complicated strategy to conventional elements, that includes jerk-spiced entrees and tropical-inspired drinks, all introduced with creative aptitude.
Huey emphasizes the significance of hospitality and cultural authenticity in her hiring philosophy. “We don’t rent based mostly on résumés; we rent for character. Hospitality can’t be taught,” she explains. Her numerous workforce represents Caribbean nations, united by a shared mission to raise their heritage via delicacies.
The enterprise extends past mere enterprise operations. Huey describes the institution as a cultural motion, underscoring the rarity of girls of Caribbean descent excelling within the resort hospitality sector.
Along with each day service, Continent Brooklyn hosts numerous occasions, together with weddings, company features, and seasonal gatherings. The rooftop lounge Aliya transforms with the seasons, providing a poolside retreat throughout hotter months and an intimate cocktail setting in winter. Hold Sipping, named after Brooklyn’s Hold Avenue, symbolizes Huey’s persistent dedication to progress and group engagement.
Huey has opened three venues inside a 12 months and prioritizes sustaining operational excellence earlier than pursuing additional enlargement. “Our focus is on sustaining this high quality commonplace,” she states.
Continent Brooklyn represents a big addition to New York’s culinary panorama — an area the place Caribbean tradition is authentically and elegantly showcased. The institution invitations patrons to get pleasure from distinctive delicacies and partake in a story of cultural delight, ambition, and group.
