Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘It started during quarantine, I was at a point where I really wanted a job but my parents were afraid of me going to work and possibly getting COVID and bringing it home.’

West Babylon

“I like to say that cooking is the love language of our family. My parents, especially my dad, loves cooking. He has the ability to know through taste anything that’s in a dish. My mom likes to bake more casually. I grew up wanting to help them stir the pot and put the seasonings in. It grew more to that I wanted to take a bigger part in cooking with my family. That’s usually our way to bond. On Saturday, we’ll cook all day and enjoy a nice meal at the end of the day.

“My grandmother was a big contributor to my love of cooking. She was Jamaican, she made a lot of curry chicken, oxtail, and she loved sweets. When I think of her, I think of, not just her cooking but the food we would share. She wasn’t in my life long, it must have been second or third grade when she passed. One of my last memories is I made her cut me a mango and we read a book together. That’s one of my fondest memories, me reading and eating with her. She had no energy but for those moments she had enough to make something small with me and entertain my wishes. When I bake, I think of my grandmother and I feel like she’s with me. I think if she was still here, she would be cooking with me.

Being a student who tries to do her best constantly and tries to be perfect, it’s a humbling experience when I’m cooking to know not everything you make will be perfect.

“I never thought I’d attempt a baking business, I’ve always been so focused on school and my grades. It started during quarantine, I was at a point where I really wanted a job but my parents were afraid of me going to work and possibly getting COVID and bringing it home. I started practicing more of my baking to hone my skills. I started selling to friends and family and it grew. The community has been supporting my business and I’m so appreciative.

“I’m most known for my chocolate chip cookies and my banana bread and brownies. Just simple things I like to make because I feel like it would be really homey and sometimes you just need a warm home-baked cookie. Being a student who tries to do her best constantly and tries to be perfect, it’s a humbling experience when I’m cooking to know not everything you make will be perfect. And it’s okay. It’s okay because when you try again, it’ll come out better.”

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Faces of Long Island is produced by Newsday Consumer Marketing. This content does not involve the reporting and editing staff of Newsday’s Editorial Department.