Davis showcases a ramification of Trinidadian favorites, together with callaloo on the Queens of Meals and Beverage scene occasion in Brooklyn.
Photograph by Tracey Khan
Renee Davis, a proud first-generation Trinidadian-American and former nurse, is spicing up Lengthy Island together with her homeland’s daring, irresistible flavors by her fast-rising meals enterprise, Trini Bites. What began as a pandemic pop-up has exploded right into a buzzing catering enterprise — and he or she’s simply getting began. With pots simmering and plans brewing, Davis is on a mission to take Trini Bites to the following degree and convey Caribbean taste to much more tables.
Davis’s journey into the meals trade departed from her preliminary profession path.
“Rising up in a Trinidadian family in Flatbush, the concept was that you just had to enter a subject that was safe and secure,” Davis mentioned. “So I went into nursing.”
Nevertheless, the will to discover her culinary passions lingered. The transfer from Brooklyn to Lengthy Island 13 years in the past together with her household, coupled with the restricted availability of Trinidadian meals on the Island, supplied the spark. “We observed in a short time that there have been minimal choices for Trinidadian meals right here on the Island,” Davis defined.
The concept for Trini Bites took root in January 2021. Davis began small, launching pop-up outlets whereas nonetheless working in nursing. She discovered a industrial kitchen in Lynbrook, which she noticed as an indication to pursue her dream. Trini Bites started serving the group in June 2021.
The response was enthusiastic. “It was very nicely obtained by the group,” Davis mentioned.
Trini Bites shortly gained a following, resulting in a characteristic in Newsday highlighting the arrival of Trinidadian meals on Lengthy Island. Davis identified that Trini Bites is without doubt one of the few Trinidadian cuisines accessible in Nassau County.
In 2022, Trini Bites expanded with a meals truck, turning into the primary solely Trinidadian meals truck on Lengthy Island. Davis juggled cooking, driving, cleansing, and sustaining the truck, serving at public occasions, festivals, and personal gatherings like weddings and birthday events.
A major milestone got here in 2024 with Trini Bites’ acceptance into Smorgasburg, the famend outside meals market. Davis, a longtime Smorgasburg patron, acknowledged the absence of Trinidadian delicacies among the many numerous choices. “I mentioned, you understand, why aren’t there any Trinny locations in Smorgasburg? Like, it looks like it might be a no brainer,” she recalled.
Underneath the “Doubles or Nothing” moniker (a nod to her mom’s love of on line casino video games), Trini Bites launched doubles — a preferred Trinidadian avenue meals — to Smorgasburg. The expertise proved invaluable, offering Davis with connections and partnerships.
Trini Bites is now specializing in its catering arm, which has grown considerably. Davis and her crew cater to artwork galleries, workplaces, colleges, universities, and company shoppers throughout Lengthy Island and New York Metropolis. “I didn’t think about that the model would go this far, particularly being just about a solopreneur,” she mentioned.
Whereas her husband offers occasional assist, Davis manages a lot of the enterprise herself, from cooking and delivering to accounting and consumer relations.
The challenges of being a solopreneur, significantly funding and staffing, are vital, based on Davis. “I would like extra palms, however on the similar time, you understand, constructing the enterprise out much more in order that I can get extra gross sales and extra income to afford extra palms,” she mentioned.
Regardless of the challenges, Davis wishes to share her tradition and join together with her group. She emphasizes the significance of preserving Trinidadian traditions for her kids, who’re second-generation Trinidadian-People.
“It was crucial, I noticed, as this enterprise advanced, to maintain it going, even only for them, to allow them to see what this meals is about,” she mentioned.
Davis envisions a future storefront, maybe a extra upscale tackle conventional Trinidadian delicacies. For now, she stays targeted on rising the catering enterprise and inspiring individuals to expertise the flavors of Trini Bites.
