Nikkai Whyte Profile

I’m Nikkai Whyte, a self-taught chef and the founder of PATOIS, a Jamaican, Caribbean-fusion food brand. I started from my home kitchen in Peckham in 2018. To me, PATOIS is my personal version of Jamaican food—a reflection of the vibrant energy, rich history, and diverse cultures that come together to create the Caribbean. It’s a celebration of the plethora of influences—from African and European to Asian and Indigenous—that have melded over time, shaping the unique flavours and stories behind every dish.

I’m not just trying to serve food; I’m serving memories, homeliness, and experience. My dishes are a reminder of weekends spent with cousins, Sunday dinners with family, and afternoons on the veranda—those moments full of warmth, laughter, and connection. Through every bite, I aim to bring that sense of belonging and nostalgia to the table.

What began as a way to explore and share my heritage has grown into a dynamic platform where I blend bold Caribbean flavours