The Tastes and Rhythms of Guyana

AS Guyana steps into another Tourism Month, The Pepperpot Magazine took the opportunity to spotlight a few unique tourism businesses. In a country as vast and diverse as Guyana, numerous destinations aim to capture something beyond the typical sun, sand, and sea. One of the most intriguing ventures is Singing Chef Adventures. Owned by a passionate couple, Singing Chef Adventures takes visitors through the sights and sounds of the capital city while they savour the flavours of the entire country. Husband-and-wife duo Eon and Jessica John say they created the venture with one goal in mind: to help people fall in love with the taste of Guyana, just as they have.

Getting to Know the Owners
Singing Chef Adventures is more than just a catchy name; it reflects the unique experience guests enjoy. The couple’s story is as distinctive as their business. Born in Guyana, Eon ventured abroad at a young age, picking up culinary and musical skills along the way. These talents now allow him to serenade guests with both flavours and music.

Jessica, originally from South Africa, holds British citizenship and has strong family ties to the UK. After visiting Guyana more than 15 years ago, she became deeply invested in its culture and history. Now fully immersed in Guyanese life, she believes Guyana is simply the best place to live in the world.

Over the years, Jessica has developed a deep appreciation for Guyana’s rich cultural heritage and how it continues to thrive today. Along with Eon, she’s passionate about showcasing the vibrancy of Guyana’s past. As she shared, “We’re bringing stories and the history of Guyana to life through culture, food, and music. We’re telling stories so that people can understand what makes a Guyanese person, whether of African, Indian, or Indigenous descent.”

Eon returned to his homeland after 40 years abroad, reconnecting with his family and culture. His travels around the world gave him vast experience in the culinary arts, and exposure to diverse cuisines inspired him to work with local ingredients.

Experiencing culture through culinary arts
One of the couple’s most popular tours is The Taste of Freedom, a culinary journey focusing on the flavours of Guyana’s African heritage. Although born in Guyana, this tour introduced Eon to aspects of the culture he had never fully explored. The research he did provided opportunities for personal reflection as he spent time in Buxton, uncovering the flavours of his ancestors.

“The tour related to African descent, called Taste of Freedom, covers the story of Africans after enslavement. They established over 38 villages, making it the only place in the world where that happened,” he explained. He added, “When I came back to Guyana after 40 years, I wanted to sound more like my family again, and something just clicked. It felt like I was born again when I returned. The history, the food—everything reminded me of home.”

Creating an experience through collaboration
Another of their famous tours, The Seven Curry Tour, was encouraged by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). This collaboration allowed Eon and Jessica to develop and refine the tour, creating an authentic experience for both locals and tourists.

Recalling how the idea for The Seven Curry Tour emerged, Jessica said, “The Guyana Tourism Authority emailed me, suggesting the tour as a great addition. I turned to Eon and asked, ‘Should we do a Seven Curry Tour?’ That’s how it started, and now it’s one of our most popular tours.”

Jessica and Eon strive to reflect the complexity of Guyanese culture in their culinary tours. Eon’s anecdotal knowledge and personal discoveries about his heritage add layers of authenticity to each tour, making every encounter both educational and personal.

However, the tours are more than just about cultural foods in Georgetown. Visitors also have the chance to experience deeply significant places around the capital city. They emphasise that the tours go beyond sightseeing, offering a deep dive into Guyana’s cultural history. As Jessica explained, “People come to us not just for the sun and sea—they go to Barbados for that. They come to Guyana for the history, the flora, fauna, and the rainforest. When they leave, they feel more connected to the country because they’ve gotten to know it.”

Overcoming challenges and building connections
As with many small businesses, Eon and Jessica faced challenges in setting up a viable operational and financial structure. Support from the GTA played a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles, highlighting the importance of institutional backing in developing sustainable tourism.

Jessica, who handles much of the business’s technical and logistical aspects, believes that tourism in Guyana is growing. With backing from governmental agencies and Guyana’s increasing global presence, the sector’s continued development is assured. She said, “As with any small business, it’s about establishing yourself, creating a good reputation, and building on people’s enjoyment. With the support of the GTA and others, we’ve had the help to refine and improve our products continuously.”

The couple’s tours foster close connections with guests. Jessica shared that many tourists stay in contact, often reaching out to share their further insights or thank them for the experience, which helps build a strong community of advocates and friends worldwide.

“It’s so lovely to see a group of people start as strangers and end up as friends,” she said. “They stay in touch, telling us about their travels and comparing experiences. It’s really rewarding.”

Eon and Jessica aim to continue providing these immersive experiences to their visitors. Eon believes the flare and fire of their business are owed to the vibrancy and uniqueness of Guyanese flavours. He said, “Growing up, I always did music, but I earned money through cooking. When I returned to Guyana and tasted these ingredients, I thought, ‘I could do incredible things with this. The flavours here are like nowhere else.’”