10-07-2024 4:29pm

EMU Football Player Opens Food Concept Scotchy Jamaican Grill, one-of-a-kind authentic Jamaican restaurant

Ypsilanti PressLLC Editor

Scotchy Jamaican Grill, created by Marlon and Bryce Llewellyn, has officially joined the Fishers Test Kitchen as its fourth pod, offering dishes like 24-hour marinated jerk pork and salted cod fish fritters to guests every Friday and Saturday starting Oct. 11.

Born in Jamaica to a restauranteur mother, Llewellyn was called to action one morning in church.

“The Holy Spirit spoke to me, and it said, ‘I’m not going to let you leave this Earth until you have tried everything you need to try,’” Llewellyn said.

After that, Llewellyn and his son, Bryce, developed Scotchy Jamaican Grill, dedicated to embodying the spirit of traditional Jamaican cuisine and honoring his late mother. 

“I think she’d be very pleased with me,” Llewellyn said. “Like ‘Yes, he’s finally doing what I told him to.’”

Bryce is studying business at Eastern Michigan University and is hoping to expand the business through an online ordering system in Michigan following the Indy grand opening. The creator of the catchphrase ‘catch ah vibe,’ Bryce said Scotchy has been a lot of hard work but has been very rewarding.

“The catch phrase was inspired by the energy my family brings as a whole,” Bryce said. “It’s always a good vibe.”

Bryce has the same inspiration for Scotchy as his father — to have 100 fast-casual restaurants in place by 2030. A lofty goal for some, the duo is eager to plant their first stakes in the ground.

“This is something my father and I have put a lot of time, effort and money into,” Bryce said.

Llewellyn has seen great success in recent months, selling out three pop-up guest tastings at the Fishers Test Kitchen, a task that was challenging to balance with his work at Marion University but highly rewarding.

Llewellyn has been an educator for over 20 years and is currently the director of recruitment for teacher partnership at Marian University. Prior to his current role, Llewellyn was the principle at Tindley, where he promoted excellence and the success of the students. That emphasis on success followed Llewellyn on his culinary journey.

As his day job continues, Llewellyn is taking small steps towards his goals for Scotchy, starting with only opening two days per week.

“As time progresses, I’ll continue working with the test kitchen staff and leaders,” Llewellyn said. “We’ll add days as we go. It’s an incubator and the whole goal is to make sure I’m successful in this space and continue to grow the brand and the concept.”

As Scotchy opens their doors, Llewellyn is already looking towards the future. Delivery, private events and opening the restaurant to new markets are all on the table.

“Our goal is to disrupt the fast-casual model of dining,” Llewellyn said. “We have an amazing repertoire of food in Jamaica. I just want everyone to enjoy it.”

Llewellyn is chipping away at that goal by opening the doors of location number one, he says, an accomplishment that has ignited his love of food and family.

“I was excited, but also very humbled and blessed for the opportunity,” Llewellyn said. “The opportunity to honor my mom and her legacy and to learn and grown this concept that has been near and dear to my heart.”

For more information about Fishers Test Kitchen, visit fisherstestkitchen.com. To learn more about Scotchy Jamaican Grill and to stay up to date, follow them on Instagram @scotchy_jamaican_grill.

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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.