Why do we eat? The easy answer is to survive. However, food is more than just sustenance. Food starts conversation, food brings communities together, food preserves a country’s culture. It is more than just something to eat and for Magdalena Jacqueline Sprauve, better known as Auntie Jackie, food is love. She serves every meal with a heavy hand and s heart full of love right from her home kitchen. In this special food edition, we sat down with Virgin Gorda’s favourite Auntie to discuss her journey to the world of culinary arts and what inspired her to set up her own business.
Auntie Jackie started cooking at the tender age of 11. Her first attempt at cooking was far from perfect. “It was terrible,” Auntie Jackie shared with a chuckle. “No one in the house ate the food, not even me”. Since that experience, she took it as a lesson and a challenge to improve and she did exactly that. Over the years, she continued to hone her culinary skills, experimenting with and exploring new flavours. In her adult life, she continued to cook and her love for food extended far beyond the kitchen. She prepared meals for her friends, family and church members simple, as she put it, “out of the kindness of her heart”. Aunt Jackie’s genuine heart along with her tasty dishes won over everyone she met, making her food a smash hit wherever she met. This eventually led to people, especially her children, encouraging her continually to share her talent with a wider audience by starting her own business. The final person she needed to hear from to cement her decision was God. The turning point in Auntie Jackie’s journey came during a church service she attended. As the sermon went on, a simple yet profound message resonated deeply with her. The preacher’s words, “If you don’t work on your own dreams, you’ll be working on somebody else’s dream,” spoke to her, giving her the final confirmation she needed to take that leap of faith to pursue her own dreams. Auntie Jackie realized that it was time to turn her aspirations into reality and create a path that was uniquely hers. She resigned from her job as a sales clerk at a local store at the Tortola Pier Park and three years later, Aunt Jackie’s Kitchen is still one of the best places to eat on Virgin Gorda.
At Aunt Jackie’s Kitchen, each dish is a unique creation that speaks Auntie Jackie’s passion for cooking and commitment to excellence. Her menu is a blend of her own unique creations that push the boundaries of traditional cuisine and beloved Virgin Islands classics that stick to her roots. Auntie Jackie’s culinary offerings also cater to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian and pescatarian options. She enjoys experimenting with new flavors and ingredients, changing her menus daily to so there is always something new and exciting to try! From the popular seafood dishes to the flavourful passion fruit BBQ tofu, the mouthwatering glazed brown sugar baby back ribs, the savoury garlic parmesan chicken skewers, and the delicious creamy garlic mushroom veggie burger, Aunt Jackie’s Kitchen offers a wide range of culinary delights that appeal to all tastes.
Aunt Jackie’s Kitchen is not just a place to savour delicious meals but also a place to embrace Virgin Islands culture. Auntie Jackie actively takes part in community events and food fairs, where she displays her creative spins on traditional dishes. Last November, she wowed the crowd at the Culture and Tourism Month food fair and this year, she is gearing up to impress visitors at the 70th August Emancipation Festival.
Aunt Jackie’s journey from a humble home cook to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and most importantly, love. Her business slogan, “Love Portion” encapsulates her approach towards cooking and everything else in life. Her love for people and her unwavering faith in God translate into the very flavours of her dishes. Her story inspires us to embrace our talents, overcome setbacks, and pursue our dreams. Aunt Jackie’s Kitchen is not just a place to enjoy a meal; it is a place where love is the main ingredient in every dish served.