Chef Odean Smith Blends Caribbean Roots with Kosher Cuisine

Chef Odean Smith prepares a signature dish blending Caribbean flavors with kosher cuisine.

Photo courtesy Odean Smith

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Early Life and Career

When Chef Odean Smith first arrived in North America 15 years ago, he carried with him his Jamaican heritage and a vision to revolutionize Caribbean cuisine. Today, as the owner of Chef O’Smith Concepts, which includes O’s Cook Shop and O’Smith Concepts Kosher Catering, Smith has established himself as a trailblazer in the Caribbean and kosher culinary markets.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Smith spent four years in Toronto, Canada, pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts at George Brown College. In 2013, he relocated to the United States with the goal of not only working in the restaurant industry but reshaping it.

“I didn’t want to just be a chef,” Smith said. “I wanted to be involved in every aspect, from conceptualizing restaurants to consulting and creating culinary experiences.”

Breaking into the Kosher Market

One of Chef Odean Smith’s many catering events, where he offers fine dining and elevated cuisine. Photo courtesy Odean Smith

Over the years, he has consulted for 18 restaurants while establishing his ventures. His journey has been anything but easy, navigating cultural barriers and carving a space in industries where he initially seemed an outsider.

One of Smith’s most unexpected career turns led him to the kosher food industry. A chance encounter with a Mediterranean restaurant on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn piqued his interest, setting him on a path to becoming one of the few Black Caribbean chefs thriving in the kosher market.

“I am probably one of the only Black Caribbean chefs in the kosher industry at the top level,” he explained. “It required learning a completely different culture and culinary practice while maintaining the discipline to meet the highest standards.”

His expertise and dedication have earned him the respect of elite kosher dining establishments. He now partners with a kosher restaurant in Jackson, New Jersey, while running his catering service.