Skip to content
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Podcast
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • CN Review
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Podcast
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • CN Review
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate

The Runaway: One Couple’s Dream is Paradise for Guests

April 20, 2015
V. Sheree Williams
Share this article
       

When Jeff Belizaire and Kalisa Martin first met in church in New York, they didn’t realize they shared a dream to open and run something of their own that focused on hospitality, community and food.  The couple who are both of Caribbean descent, Belizaire is Haitian and Martin is Jamaican, are set to open The Runaway this fall after successfully raising $30,000 on Kickstarter.

“When I first met Jeff again that day when he was busy sweeping me off my feet, I remember one thing he told me was, ‘Oh yeah, I am going to retire and open up a bed and breakfast in the Caribbean,’” says Martin.

Although retirement is not around the corner, the last two brutal winters in the Big Apple proved to be too much and was the motivation behind a Jamaican getaway that sealed the deal on opening that bed and breakfast ahead of his retirement schedule. “Jeff said, ‘Next winter we are not going to be in the cold,'” says Martin who grew up in South Jersey.

Set to open this September, The Runaway will be located off Jamaica’s north coast in Runaway Bay, a town in Saint Ann Parish. The community-oriented luxury bed and breakfast will be the first of its kind in the area offering amazing food and curated cultural experiences.

Martin, who received her classical culinary arts degree from The French Institute in New York, is the chef and head of operations and excited about what The Runaway will offer in terms of the food.  She is actually calling The Runaway a Breakfast, Lunch Dinner or B.L.D because all three meals plus snacks will be included in guests’ stays.

“We really want the dining experience to be a memorable one.  The reason why people would want to come to The Runaway is to eat with us and to dine with us. So we are going to be providing breakfast, lunch and dinner along with snacks and customized drinks of the day and smoothies.  So food is going to be a major way that we are going to set ourselves apart,” says Martin.

Once booked, guests will be asked about their preferences so that each meal is curated and made to order to their liking with local and seasonal ingredients. Martin shares, “We want guests to feel like they are celebrities coming to stay at their summer home on the island and everything is custom for them.”

Belizaire will oversee business development and marketing as he continues to run his projects as a highly sought after brand consultant and social media strategist for his digital agency.

Martin’s family owns the property that will soon be transformed into guests’ home away from home. Guests will enjoy the four-bedroom house that comes with private bathrooms in each room, a communal living room, dining room and open kitchen.  In addition, amenities will include an outdoor shower, library and dedicated workspace, rooftop garden and lounge with space for yoga, wifi and a local phone.

Looking forward to this exciting next chapter in her life, Martin says, “Although I did not grow up here [Jamaica], I feel more at home here than anywhere else.”

  • under Food & Drink Rhonda McCullough-Gilmore: Memories of Bernie Mac & Cooking with Love
  • LaTocha Scott-Bivens - Xcape’s and vegan enthusiast
    under Food & Drink Why Xcape’s LaTocha Scott-Bivens Wants to “Veganize” Your Menu
  • Celebrity chef and The Great Soul Food Cook-Off Champion Razia Sabour
    under Black Chefs , Food & Drink Celebrity Chef Razia Sabour Honors Soul Food’s History with Competition Win
  • Soul Food Restaurants by Felicia owners Joselino Neto Lima de Barros, Feliciana de Ceita Neto de Lima and Jose Feliciano Lima de Barros
    under Black Chefs , Food & Drink A Mother’s Dream Inspires Soul Food Restaurant by Felicia in Lisbon
Share this article
V. Sheree Williams

Sheree has been penning stories since the fifth grade. Her stories took a delicious and adventurous turn as an adult when she became a foodie.

Related Articles

Loading...
West coast wine tasting - Destinations to visit
Food & Drink Travel

West Coast Wine Tasting Destinations You Have To Visit

Denver Skyline
Food & Drink Travel

Denver Entices with Arts, Cuisine and Culture

Travel

Sisters of the Skies Mission to Increase Black Women Pilots

Be the first to know about the latest online, industry updates, world news, events and promotions that connect the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising

    #IAmCuisineNoir

    This site participates in affiliate programs. See our full disclosure for more information.

    Copyright© 2023 Cuisine Noir and The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Privacy
    Site by ACS Digital

    Any unauthorized duplication, download or reprint of images or content from this website for promotional or commercial use is strictly prohibited without written permission from The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Trademark pending.

    YES!  We’re excited you are signing up too!  

    Get ready to receive our weekly newsletter about:

    • New articles online
    • World news and industry happenings throughout the African Diaspora
    • Mouthwatering recipes
    • Promotions and giveaways

    Right in your inbox!