From left, Trinidad native Natalie Lamming, and Grenadian native Davis Alexander, pose with 11-year outdated Sebastian, proprietor of Spices & Slices at 1828 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, a Caribbean fashion pizzeria.
Photograph by Tangerine Clarke
Eleven-year-old Sebastian Wilson is serving up Spices & Slices, a newly opened Caribbean-flavoured pizza store at 1828 Nostrand Avenue within the coronary heart of bustling Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Grasp Wilson can safely say he’s set for all times, taking ahead generational wealth whereas studying from the very best. His Trinidad and Tobago mom, Natalie Lamming, and Grenadian stepfather, Davis Alexander, have already arrange the younger man for fulfillment within the eatery, which has a blinding, colourful mural and a picture of Sebastian welcoming pizza lovers.
From a young age, Sebastian has been hanging on the skirt tail of his mom, who has been within the restaurant enterprise since age 18. Now 47, Lamming mentioned she opened her first restaurant, d’Savannah, in 2013 on Flatbush, named for the twin-island Savannah, when Sebastian was born. As such, he grew to become a fixture in his child crib within the restaurant’s workplace, by no means understanding that in the future he can be the inspiration for a Caribbean-style pizza store.
Opened with grand fanfare in October 2024, the pizzeria instantly grew to become an in a single day sensation, a favourite spot for Sebastian’s associates and pizza followers alike.
Sebastian says his pizzeria is best than the favored Domino’s due to its Caribbean taste, and he will get to eat his favourite when he needs.
“I’ve been within the restaurant enterprise for many of my life, and after I opened my first eatery, Savannah, Sebastian was all the time there. Then we went via lots of modifications, like gentrification in Brooklyn. This pressured us to maneuver to Crown Heights, the place we at the moment personal Savannah Spiced,” mentioned Lamming.
“I used to spend some huge cash on his birthday events, after which I noticed after some time that he wasn’t actually having an excellent time, being so younger and never eager to be the focal point. When he turned 10, I noticed there was one distinction in our tradition from that of others: we don’t arrange our children the way in which we should always for them to hold on the enterprise.”
“Once you go to different eating places or shops, children are seen wiping down tables and serving to within the kitchen, and the story is all the time that the enterprise has been of their household for generations and handed right down to their youngsters. And since pizza was Sabastian’s favourite meals, we determined to include the Caribbean fashion of each Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada into the menu.’
“I knew deep down inside this was one thing I wished to do; I wanted to seek out the proper time and discover ways to promote it,” mentioned Lamming.
Immediately, 5 months after Sebastian’s Spices and Slices opened, the pizzeria is doing effectively. It celebrates the tradition of the islands with all kinds of scrumptious decisions, together with Sebastian’s slice topped with Mac and Cheese.
Marketed as ‘the very best on the town,’ favorites like Oxtail BK, Jamrock Jerk Rooster, Calypso Shrimp, Salmon Delight, Saltfish Buljol, Curry Tabanca, Shark, Veggie Mania, Spiceman – roasted breadfruit, spinach with a pesto drizzle, Marinara, Plantain, and Pepperoni are attracting prospects to the pizzeria.
Different flavors on the menu are Brooklynite, Buffalo BBQ Rooster, Maracas Bay, Jamming Jerk Pork, and plenty of others, just like the flavorful Veggies and Buffalo BBQ Rooster combo this reporter sampled.
Lamming mentioned prospects wouldn’t discover pizzas in a glass case after they stroll into the pizzeria as a result of each order is custom-made with recent elements. The costs are additionally aggressive.
She additionally mentioned she appreciates Sebastian’s enter on the alternatives to please each buyer, not solely Caribbean nationals however People, a lot of whom would like the Italian flare of Cheese and Pepperoni. He additionally dictates what sort of music to be performed within the pizza joint to welcome all patrons.
To study extra, name Sebastian Spices & Slices at 718-552-2186
