Three female entrepreneurs have joined forces to create a new web-based platform that will bring chefs and cooks together with people from across the Caribbean and the world for shared dining experiences.

Isle&Dine is a technology platform where customers will book and purchase dining experiences hosted by home cooks and chefs who prepare authentic local cuisine in their homes. The website is currently recruiting chefs and diners at www.isleanddine.com.

Strategy & Marketing Communications Lead, Heather Barker said the interest had been encouraging. “Since we launched our splash page we’ve had an enthusiastic response from potential chefs and diners who we’re calling #DineAdians! Cooks really like the concept and are keen to host guests for meals and earn extra income at the same time.”

Ms. Barker was quick to add that the business was not only for established or trained chefs. “We’re also targeting, and are happy to hear from, culinary graduates as well as enthusiastic home cooks in any parish who love entertaining. It’s a great opportunity for entrepreneurship.”

She also noted that Isle&Dine would be piloted and launched in Barbados before being taken across the region. “From our research we’ve gleaned that visitors and locals would appreciate a diverse, authentic and fun dining experience with others, hence our slogan, Life tastes better shared.”
Partners bring over 25 years’ business experience.

The entrepreneur has partnered with Deidre Brathwaite, Technology & Digital Marketing Lead; and Denise Mongerie-Rogers, Operations & Business Development Lead to bring Isle&Dine to market. The partners bring over 25 combined years of successfully running their own businesses to Isle&Dine.

They first met in 2013 at a Women Innovators Network in the Caribbean workshop organised by infoDev, a global innovation and entrepreneurship program of the World Bank, and supported by the Canadian government. After the workshop ended, the women continued to meet and discussed working on joint initiatives.

They came up with the idea of Isle&Dine after Ms. Barker found out about a similar initiative in the United States and decided to adapt it for the local market. “It was described as the Airbnb for hungry people. I love eating, travelling and connecting with other people and so the concept really excited me. We thought that with Barbados’ tourism product and the need to diversify its culinary, visitor, and entertainment offerings that Isle&Dine would be a fun, great service to bring to market,” she explained.

Ms. Barker added that the platform was ideally suited for development by the partners because of their diverse skillset. She has managed marketing communications company, Clearly Content Communications Inc. since 2008. Ms. Brathwaite is a co-owner of new media marketing firm, PixlD Inc.; while Ms. Mongerie-Rogers runs the business development and advisory services company, Rodjmon Holdings Inc.

A look at their collective client and project list includes the Villages at Coverley, Cover Drive, Capita Financial, Sagicor, Massy United Insurance, Fortress Fund Managers, Scotiabank, UPstart Caribbean, and the Barbados Community College. “Between the three of us I believe we possess the expertise and drive to successfully bring Isle&Dine to a new market of #DineAdians!” Ms. Barker noted.