Some stories are told through flags and speeches. Others are told through flavor.
For a long time, Independence wasn’t something I felt deeply connected to. I moved to the States at a young age, and for years it felt distant — something that existed back home, but not always in my everyday life. Over the last few years, though, Independence has come to mean everything to me.
Watching the way we come together as a people — celebrating our culture, our heritage, our pride — fills me with something I can’t quite put into words. Seeing young boys and girls in their scout uniforms, taking part in traditions that have been passed down for generations, reminds me that Independence is not just about where we’ve been, but where we’re going.
And one of the most powerful ways we show that pride is through food.
For Independence, there’s always oil down somewhere. Every pot carries the same language, yet somehow tells a different story. Who adds more meat? Who leans seafood? Who makes it without meat at all? The ingredients may be similar, but the memories and meanings are deeply personal.
Even outside of Grenada, our food always found its way to the table. Whether it was a typical Sunday dinner — pelau with potato salad or coleslaw, a fresh green salad on the side — or a cold glass of lime juice or passion fruit juice to wash it all down. And somehow, on the hottest days, there was always a hot soup on the menu.
Growing up, my mom made sure Grenada was always present in our home. Some of my favorite kitchen memories are watching her make my favorite treats from back home — sweet potato pudding, coconut drops, pineapple tarts, just to name a few. Those moments shaped how I bake today. I’m intentional about keeping traditions alive, while still allowing space for myself to show up in them.
So you might be wondering — why donuts?
Honestly, it started with a craving. I kept seeing donuts all over Instagram and thought, I don’t want to make the typical flavors. What could I do with them? Donuts felt like the perfect canvas to explore Grenadian flavors in a way that felt both familiar and new. And if I’m being honest, I really wanted donuts — curiosity did the rest.
With this Independence donut series, I wanted each flavor to tell a story. One that honors tradition while bringing it forward into the present.
The inspiration behind each flavor came from one clear intention: putting Grenada front and center. I wanted to represent her in the best way I know how — through taste. Nutmeg was an easy first choice, highlighting the Isle of Spice and everything she’s known for. That warmth, that strength, that quiet pride lives in every bite.
Thinking about nutmeg naturally led me to black cake, and from there, rum. That’s how the rum-glazed donuts came to life. And then, somehow, coconuts entered the conversation — not sure how my mind jumped there, but it felt right. Finally, Independence itself became the inspiration for a donut that fully represents Grenada — not just in color, but in spirit.
These donuts aren’t just sweets. They’re a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and the ways we continue to carry Grenada with us — no matter where we are in the world.
Creating these flavors was fun and gave me space to stretch my creativity as a baker. As a beginner, these donuts pushed my skills — especially the glazes. Many of my first tests leaned heavily into the rum, but I quickly realized I wanted to pull back. This wasn’t about the rum itself, but about using it to accent the flavors of Grenada.
As much as I wanted to play with these donuts, I wanted the story and tradition to remain front and center. That’s where intention came in — thinking about what truly pairs well with coconut, sorrel, and nutmeg. With each flavor, my goal was to embody Grenada: bold, creative, warm, inviting, and full of joy.
For a long time, Independence felt distant — something I observed more than participated in. But in recent years, it has come to mean everything to me. Seeing how we come together — decorating our homes, debating who has the best display, gathering in the stadium to celebrate, and honoring the stories that shaped us — has deepened my connection to who we are as a people.
It has become important to me to not only pass these traditions down through my family, but to create space to elevate them — to honor who I am becoming while respecting where we come from. This is my way of pouring back into my country, its culture, and its people.
These donuts are my small way of celebrating Grenada — not just on Independence Day, but in the everyday ways culture lives on through food. They’re a reminder that tradition doesn’t have to stay frozen in time to be respected. It can evolve, soften, and grow alongside us.
Whether you’re celebrating at home or honoring Grenada from afar, I hope these flavors invite you to reflect, to gather, and to celebrate our island spirit in your own way.
