Our Story

Rooted in love.

Served with Soul.

African + Caribbean Palate is more than a food truck — it's a tribute to the women who raised me, the flavors that shaped me, and the culinary heritage of Trinidad & Tobago, with West African traditions.

Every dish we serve carries generations of love, passion, and the belief that food has the power to bring people together.

A woman wearing a colorful headwrap cook in a commercial kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove. 
A Legacy of Flavor

My grandmother, Evelyn "Evo" Martin, sold food to the community in Trinidad & Tobago every February — her kitchen was a gathering place, her recipes a living history. When she came to the United States in the 1970s, she brought those flavors with her.

I came to this country when I was 12 years old, and it was my grandmother and my auntie who taught me to cook. Not from a recipe book — but from watching, tasting, and learning what it means to feed people with intention.

Years later, a trip to Senegal opened my eyes even wider. The women there — the way they cook, the way they gather, the way food anchors community — reminded me of everything I had inherited. That trip became part of the DNA of African Caribbean Palate.

A vintage photograph of a young woman with curly hair, standing outdoors in front of a hedge and a large house with multiple windows and white columns, in sepia tone
A polaroid photograph of an elderly woman with short curly gray hair, wearing a patterned jacket, and her head resting on her hand, sitting on a bed with a leopard print blanket. The photo is taped to a black background with beige tape on top and bottom.
A polaroid photograph of an elderly woman with short curly gray hair, wearing a patterned jacket, and her head resting on her hand, sitting on a bed with a leopard print blanket. The photo is taped to a black background with beige tape on top and bottom.
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Our Team

A woman cooking on a stove in a kitchen, wearing a white dress with colorful floral patterns and a white headwrap, smiling while stirring a pot.

Shellyann Allen

Founder

A man with dark skin, dreadlocks, and a beard, wearing a green and red sports jersey, standing in front of a white background with a poster that reads 'African + Caribbean Palate' and features a map of Africa with palm trees, and a social media handle @africancaribbeanpalate.

Tidaine “TJ” Badji

Co-Founder

From our kitchen to your communitiy

Before I started this business, I spent years as a social worker. People always called me a bleeding heart — and I'll take that. I believe in showing up for people, and that's exactly what we do from this truck.

Whether we're at a festival, a farmers market, a private event, or your neighborhood block party, we bring the flavors of the islands straight to you. Gluten-free options, vegetarian dishes, bold spices, and real ingredients.

Cater Your Event